In the first years of life, the child begins to build his idea of the world, of others and – most importantly – of himself. It is then that the basic question that will guide him throughout his life emerges: who am I?.
The brochure “Who am I?” addresses the topic of children’s identity – how it is formed, what influences it and why it is so important in early childhood, especially for children from the Roma community.
What will you find in the brochure?
What is identity?
Identity is a child’s sense of who they are – their connection to their family, community and cultural roots. It is not a given but is formed gradually – through experiences, relationships and recognition.
Why does identity matter?
When a child feels seen, respected and accepted, they develop higher self-esteem, a stronger interest in learning and more successful social skills. But when a child’s cultural or personal identity is ignored or underestimated, it can lead to alienation, low self-esteem and developmental difficulties – both personally and academically.
What can we adults do?
Every parent, teacher, educator or social worker can be a strong ally in building a strong identity – through an interest in a child’s language, culture and stories, by creating an environment where difference is valued, not ignored.
The brochure also contains:
Explanation of the concept of identity;
Reasons why it is important to recognise and support it;
Specific examples and recommendations for working with children in educational and family settings;
Ideas for conversations with children around the theme of “Who am I?” and how to encourage them to take pride in themselves and build an atmosphere of belonging in the group or classroom.
Guidance on how to build an inclusive environment from an early age.
The entire document is aimed at helping teachers, educators, social workers and parents support children’s formation of healthy, positive identities – key to their personal and academic growth. The “Who Am I?” brochure can be viewed and downloaded here.