Re-orienting and Re-acting (to) Diversity in Finnish Early Childhood Education and Care

Authors

• Zsuzsa Millei University of Tampere, Finland

Keywords:

diversity, homogeneous nation, researchers, professionals

Abstract

In Finnish early childhood education and care (ECEC), the notion of diversity has come to signify ethnic and cultural difference. This notion stems from the understanding that diversity comes with migration to a relatively uniform and cohesive society. The growing cultural mix is increasingly perceived as threatening to social cohesion leading to tensions. I make two points in this paper. First, I make a case that the myth of a homogeneous society stands in the way of addressing the many diversities and forms of marginalization that exist in Finnish ECEC today and requires urgent attention. Second, I argue that we need to pay more attention to the including groups: daycare centers and Finnish society. This attention needs to be coupled with the creation of a culture in which diversity is seen as part of the daycare center’s culture and the national society rather than a challenge. I discuss these points first in relation to academic research and then to the work of ECEC professionals. I call researchers and professionals to continuously scrutinize current relations and processes that are informed by the myth of a homogeneous society, and to make way for challenging and contesting norms that make and keep particular groups exceptional.