Children & Families
Language plays an important role in creating cultural identity. In Burnaby, 55% of people speak English as a second language. With their language, people also bring distinct story telling traditions, musical traditions and cultural treasures that add to the wealth of our overall community.
Embracing Diversity: Sharing Our Songs and Rhymes
An online community resource to inspire sharing across cultures.
View, learn, and be ready to make new friends.
The Embracing Diversity project features video performances of children’s songs and rhymes in 15 languages, plus resources to support the use of this material. These are offered to inspire sharing across cultures, help families and community workers promote cross-cultural understanding, and build our capacity to create welcoming, inclusive communities. We invite you to learn and share the songs and rhymes and explore the cultural diversity of the communities of Burnaby and New Westminster. More about this project.
Use the menu at the left to explore the project website, or go straight to the songs and rhymes.
Burnaby library recognized for multilingual diversity project
Burnaby Public Library has been awarded a 2012 Representative’s Award of Excellence: Cultural Heritage and Diversity by B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth, May Ellen Turpel-Lafond.
The award recognizes its Embracing Diversity: Sharing Our Songs and Rhymes Project, a web-based project that uses children’s songs and rhymes in more than a dozen languages to encourage cultural diversity and inclusiveness.
When front-line community workers, teachers, and families teach children intercultural songs, rhymes and activities included in the Sharing Our Songs and Rhymes video and resource guide, they will be actively developing community cohesion and enriching future generations.
