Page 6 - Final Lesson-2.pmd

Early Childhood in India

temperature, vegetation, fauna give a unique feature to people in each region.
They differ in looks, dress and the physical conditions influence the social lives.

Notes
2.2.2.1 Culture, Caste and Tribes
There are many caste groups.Caste has been a major source of diversity in Indian
society and often becomes a source of discrimination.The supposedly lower castes
in India have historically been denied access to productive resources such as
land, education, credit and access to places of worship. Economic deprivation
led to other forms of discrimination such as untouchability, cultural restraints on
sharing food and water and physical segregation within village communities.
Such negative social and cultural conditions deplete children’s self-worth and
identity and makes them submissive. Low motivation impact the individual’s
growth and development negatively. It limits opportunities available to them
and narrows their growth prospects.

Scheduled Tribes are mostly located in forest or rural areas, with distinct socio-
cultural beliefs and practices, deeply interlinked with forest ecology. Their distinct
lifestyle and remote locations have led to outright exclusion from services, or
‘adverse inclusion’ where the price of integration into ‘mainstream’ stratified
society has been the loss of cultures and languages.

2.2.2.2 Religious Plurality
Religion is one of the key facets of diversity, along with caste, gender, disability
and age. India is a secular, multi-religious and multicultural country. It is a land
from where religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism have
originated and flourished with religions like Islam and Christianity and tribal
religions.

The Constitution of India forbids any discrimination on grounds of religion.
Religious differences impact everyday life of children and sense of identity.
School authorities need to be aware of norms and practices of different
religions. Religion defines dress, food habits, customs, celebrations and
festivals. Children would like to be included in festivities and see some
connection between home and festivities at school or in the community.

2.2.2.3 Types of Family Configurations
In India, there are many kinds of households ranging from a small unit of parents
and child, to extended members such as families with grandparents living together.
Children living in different family set up will have a range of experiences. Some
children may grow up with many children and learn a lot by modeling older
siblings or cousins. The adult-child interactions and opportunity to bond with
people vary, depending on the number of adults and how they get along with
each other.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 17