The KidLe project aimed to support the inclusion of migrant children, aged 4-8 years, in new learning environments by co-creating five intercultural board games designed to provide opportunities for language learning and peer communication, promote positive intercultural exchanges, and foster friendships among children with and without migrant background. The KidLe project also aimed to build on digital transformation opportunities by integrating these games into an easily accessible digital multilingual gaming pack. Importantly, KidLe’s co-creation approach aimed to empower and meaningfully engaged children and parents (with and without migrant background) as well as teachers, valuing their perspectives, priorities and experiences in decision-making throughout all stages of the development and testing process. Further, the project also aimed to build educators' and parents' awareness of and capacity to use play-based pedagogical tools, especially intercultural board games, to support young children’ social inclusion, learning, and development.
Multiculturalism is a prevalent aspect of contemporary European societies, with an estimated 36.3 million non-native-born residents in the EU-27 in 2020, making up 7.1% of the total population. Early education can play a crucial role in promoting social inclusion, by supporting children’s development, learning, and well-being; promoting the development of intercultural competence; and strengthening European values. However, early education settings often struggle to support young migrant children in adapting to and developing a sense of belongingness in environments with unfamiliar cultural elements (e.g., language). Play is of inherent value to human beings but is also key to fostering communication and language development through various symbolic representations, and to supporting the pedagogical and emotional needs of all children. Relatedly, play has the potential to bring together children from different backgrounds, encouraging socialization and self-expression, while also promoting healthy cognitive, emotional, and social development. Therefore, designing board games as play-based pedagogical tools to support positive intercultural exchanges in early education can be instrumental in promoting equity and inclusion.