Leveraging (the potential of) the multiethnic classroom: Using the constructs of cultural humility and safety to provide belonging for Cross Cultural Kid (CCK) refugees

Abstract

In today's age of globalization and mobility, children are impacted as they cross cultures, languages, and school systems. For the privileged this can be seen as a glamorous lifestyle; for the refugee and displaced person this move has more negative consequences. Both of these groups share both positive and negative characteristics as a result of growing up among cultures. In the 1950s Ruth Useem first referred to these children as Third Culture Kids (TCKs) who grew up in a cross-section of two cultures. This term was then expanded to Cross Culture Kids (CCKs); a subset of which includes children of refugees and migrants. This article offers a brief overview of the concept of Cross Culture Kids and research from studies conducted with this unique group of children. Educational practices and methods of interventions are considered in light of the particular needs of CCK refugees in the Italian context in order to facilitate cultural humility and inclusive processes in multiethnic and multicultural schools.