Cultural capital experiences for children in early years

Cultural capital refers to the experiences, knowledge and skills that children carry with them, shaping their ability to understand the world and succeed in life.

In early years, cultural capital is not about wealth or social status,  it is about offering rich, meaningful experiences that broaden horizons, strengthen language, and boost confidence.

Providing cultural capital can take many forms. It might include trips to local museums, libraries, parks, or community centres, visits from storytellers, musicians, or artists, or classroom experiences exploring food, music, or traditions from different cultures. The key is that these experiences are intentional and accessible to all children, helping them gain knowledge and understanding that they might not encounter at home.

However, it is important to avoid tokenism. Tokenistic experiences are superficial and disconnected from meaningful learning. For example, putting up a flag from another country, reading a single story from a different culture or planning a one-off activity without context does not provide genuine cultural capital. Instead, experiences should be embedded in daily practice, revisited, and reflected upon. Children should be encouraged to ask questions, make connections, and explore meaning.

Cultural capital is also about representation and inclusion.

Children need to see themselves and others positively reflected in the classroom. This can mean using books, toys and resources that showcase diverse people, experiences and perspectives. Families and communities can play a vital role, sharing authentic experiences rather than simplified or stereotypical examples. This helps children value difference while understanding their own place in the world.

Meaningful cultural capital strengthens vocabulary, curiosity, and confidence.

Children who experience new ideas, people, and places are more likely to engage in conversations, ask questions, and explore independently. Over time, these experiences help close gaps in knowledge and opportunity, supporting children to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

In practice, cultural capital looks like thoughtful, connected experiences.

A story session could include background about the culture of the characters; a cooking activity could explore ingredients from another country while discussing taste, smell, and origin; a visit to a local gallery could be followed by a reflective discussion about what children noticed or felt. Embedding these experiences into routines ensures they are meaningful rather than one-off.

For early years professionals, the goal is to make cultural capital an everyday part of learning. By providing authentic, inclusive and reflective experiences, you equip children with knowledge, skills, and confidence that last a lifetime, without relying on token gestures. Cultural capital is not an extra; it is a vital part of building a rich, engaging environment where children can explore, learn, and grow.

Find out more in the government's Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework here.