Integrating digital cultural detective games with social emotional learning to foster cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy among kindergarten teachers: a mixed-methods study

TL;DR

This study shows that using digital cultural detective games in training helps bilingual kindergarten teachers develop better cultural sensitivity and empathy.

Contribution

The novel integration of digital cultural detective games with social-emotional learning to enhance intercultural empathy in teachers.

Findings

The experimental group showed significant improvements in cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy compared to the control group.

Qualitative analysis revealed five themes highlighting the effectiveness and limitations of the intervention measures.

Digital games integrated with SEL can promote essential social-emotional and intercultural communication skills in teachers.

Abstract

Developing cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy is essential for kindergarten teachers working in increasingly diverse and globalized environments, particularly those in bilingual or international kindergartens. Traditional cultural training programs may not effectively cultivate these skills. This study explores the potential of integrating digital cultural detective games into social–emotional learning (SEL) to enhance cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy among bilingual kindergarten teachers.

A mixed research method was employed, combining a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a phenomenological approach. Sixty bilingual kindergarten teachers from a city in China were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group with a training program incorporating digital cultural detective games, or a control group with traditional cultural training. Participants completed a questionnaire to test cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy before and after the intervention. Besides, they were also assessed using the intercultural empathy observation checklist and the cultural sensitivity observation checklist. Finally, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore their experiences and perceptions.

Quantitative findings revealed significant improvements in cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy within the experimental group compared to the control group. Qualitative findings identified five themes, demonstrating the impact of different intervention measures on participants’ cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy, as well as the expected benefits and limitations of each measure.

This study demonstrates that incorporating digital cultural detective games into SEL can effectively improve cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy among bilingual kindergarten teachers in China. The findings highlight the potential of innovative digital games in cultural training programs to promote essential social and emotional competencies and intercultural communication skills. Future research is recommended to investigate the long-term effects and applicability of this approach in various educational contexts and with different populations.

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