Integrating Digital Cultural Detective Games with Social Emotional Learning to Foster Cultural Sensitivity and Intercultural Empathy among Bilingual Kindergarten Teachers: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Fostering cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy is essential for bilingual kindergarten teachers working in diverse and globalized societies. Conventional cultural training programs may fall short in cultivating these critical skills. This mixed-methods study investigates the potential advantages of incorporating digital culture detective games into social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula to enhance cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy among bilingual kindergarten teachers in a Chinese context.Methods A mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating a randomized controlled trial with a phenomenological approach. The study comprised 60 bilingual kindergarten teachers from a Chinese city who were randomly allocated to either an experimental group that received a cultural training program featuring the digital culture detective game or a control group that underwent traditional cultural training. Participants completed the Cultural Sensitivity Questionnaire (CSQ) and the Davis Interpersonal Response Index (IRI) pre-and post-intervention. Observation notes were collected using the Intercultural Empathy Observation Checklist (IEOC) and the Cultural Sensitivity Observation Checklist (CSOC) during lessons. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a subset of participants from both groups to explore their experiences and perceptions.Results Quantitative findings revealed significant enhancements in cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy in the experimental group compared to the control group. Effect sizes demonstrated the considerable impact of incorporating digital culture detective games into SEL curricula. Qualitative findings identified themes related to the game's positive influence on bilingual kindergarten teachers' cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy, such as heightened awareness, understanding, and appreciation of cultural differences, as well as improved communication and relationship-building skills.Conclusions This study provides evidence that integrating digital culture detective games into SEL curricula can effectively augment cultural sensitivity and intercultural empathy among bilingual kindergarten teachers in a Chinese context. The findings emphasize the potential of innovative digital games in cultural training programs for enhancing social-emotional competencies and intercultural communication skills. Future research is warranted to examine the long-term effects and applicability of this approach across various educational contexts and populations.