This resource allows children to broaden their understanding of cultural diversity and the significance of maintaining equality. After children have read or listened to ‘Whoever you are’, it is hoped that not only their language and literacy skills have strengthened, but also their knowledge. It is crucial that children are introduced to this topic from an early age and are able to discuss the differences of cultures, although focus primarily on what makes everyone the same. Children will learn about respect, which is a key concept of cultural diversity and should be able to utilize this attribute in their learning environment and everyday lives.
It is evident that this children’s book acknowledges the importance of culture and home learning. This is due to the fact that the author involves children from around the world and explains that even though we all appear different, we are all the same. It is vital that children can learn in their environment and feel safe, therefore encouraging equality will allow this to happen. Although it is not a bilingual text, ‘Whoever you are’ ensures that children can read in their environment and discuss the meaning of cultural diversity with their family. The values that are interpreted from the book such as respect can also be discussed within the family or at the kindergarten (Bredekamp, 2016).
Teaching and learning strategies
1. Picture talks is a learning tool that is utilized in early education and involves a teacher displaying illustrations in a book or a photograph, then asking the children to observe and share what they see. This learning experience will become of benefit to children when reading ‘Whoever you are’ because it will give them an opportunity to visualize and discuss the meaning of the picture, which in this case illustrates diversity (Fellowes & Oakley, 2014, pg. 113). The book contains pictures of children from cultures and a globe with children surrounding it, which symbolizes equality.
2. Another learning tool that could be applied whilst reading this book is conducting a class meeting, which will enable the children to gather together to discuss the importance of cultural diversity and share their experiences, whether it be about their
Engaging into the importance of multicultural competence, awareness of such competency has become a significant necessity in the area of mental health, and various fields of psychology (Hayes, 2008). It is essential for a counselor to be multicultural competent in order to develop a therapeutic alliance with a client, while understanding their cultural identity. Therefore, culturally competent knowledge, attitudes, and skills of diverse culture, is necessary, in proper treatment and diagnosis. Nonetheless, the complexity of cultural diversity can contribute to challenges in assessment, diagnosis and or treatment. It is further understood; by understanding one’s social history, psychosocial history, presenting problems, along with other pertinent information regarding a cultural responsiveness in a diagnosis, and how it would be beneficial to individuals of various social, ethnic, and other minority groups in order to make a treatment plan based on the findings of a cultural assessment (Sue & Sue, 2013). Nonetheless, cultural influences, often neglected, are needed to incorporate the challenges cultural groups face when seeking treatment. Therefore, I have found it applicable to use “ADDRESSING,” framework in therapy as a resource for developing cultural and relevant assessments in addition to the onset symptoms presented in the client in the case study of Mrs. Hudson. The use of “ADDRESSING” acronym is designed to obtain age, developmental and physical disabilities
After reading the book to the children I will engage the students in a classroom discussion that aims to uncover what they might know about their own cultural background. Questions posed could include, “do you know where you were born or where your mum and dad were born”, “do you speak any other languages at home and what is that language, can you say something to us in your home language?”. These questions aim to uncover the diverse cultures within the classroom and by engaging in a group discussion the students learn about each other and learn that they all have different experiences and cultures. According to Fellows and Oakley (2014) reading stories to children provides the ideal context to develop oral language which can be further enhanced with educator led discussion (pg. 90).
- is to encourage children we are all equal and the same. This is reading and learning about the different cultures in the world, including listening to different music where you can act, sing and dance along, reading different books in different languages, drawing pictures, playing different games and playing dress up with wearing different costumes from different cultures.
This first chapter has quick insights of how Cultural Competence could be so effectively with children. What this chapter made me recognized is that it’s essential to building a relationship with students. As the text points that students may be more comfortable with a teacher of their own background, regardless of the teachers background the true success of having a learning environment is based on a sensitive, caring and committed teacher. Having teachers getting to know their students would be encouraging for a teacher-student relationship student might discovery acceptance and comfort in having someone who provides stability and structure by getting to know them. Additionally, teachers should not be scared to permit themselves to be taught
Being open minded to the different practices and environment allows us to learn more about a person individually. Not only that it allows us to learn innovated ways practices may or may not work within our own children and families that can make impacts. Overall this class has changed how similar and different families and children are raised within their culture as it is a huge role to their personal
Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Diversifying our culture in the world is extremely critical in order to propel to a brighter, better, and fairer future. This became quite essential since the rapid technological advancements led us into the new age of having a globalized society. To keep multicultural alive for future days to come, we must teach our younger generation, specifically the children, about its history and impact in our lives. What other better way to do this than to incorporate cultural diversity in children’s books. These books are the best way a child can gain an understanding about oneself and about the world around them.
The diversity in our public schools is ever increasing, with this teachers are beginning to recognize the need to expand their classroom curriculum to include other cultures. Understanding diversity provides context for students and allows them to thrive in most social environments. They key to this understanding lies with support from administrative and teachers “sensitivity of the various cultures reflected in students populations,” (Smith) meanwhile maintaining an unbiased outlook. Involving discussions on music, history, food and of other cultures provides a general awareness for students. Theres types of lessons can and should be taught year round and not just around the
Moreover, teaching multicultural diversity in preschool ages increase children’s awareness, appreciation and inclusion of diverse beliefs and cultures. It means that children with different needs are giving opportunities to participate in the general education curriculum based on their ages and grades. Those children are not separated by classrooms, but rather the curriculum and the rooms are conformed to meet their needs. Research shows that children are capable of understanding differences and abilities of surrounding people at the very early ages (Perlman, Kankesan, & Zhang, 2010). Therefore, a program, which fully regards to multiculturalism, allows children to explore varying cultures and create opportunities for them to recognise that even when people have various customs and traditions, they often share some similar characteristics as well. The ability to function compatibly and efficiently in a multicultural society is also promoted throughout a multicultural program. It is obvious that children are able
In Chapter 1. of ‘Culturally Responsive Instruction’ teachers have to identify ways to make everyone feel comfortable as much as necessary to have them concentrate on the learning. In chapter 1, illustrates that we have to teach not by culture but by ways that everyone can relate to (Kadhir, 2017, p. 2). It is important that we identify their visual, auditory,
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, cultural competence comprises of “understanding and appropriately responding to the unique combination of cultural variables that [individuals] bring to interactions (2004).”
To enrich children's understanding and respect of cultural identities within the service’s community educators need to first gain a solid understanding of the cultural identities within the centre themselves. Open communication between educators and children and their families is a key to gathering information from each child’s cultural background and cultural identity. Using collaborative partnerships between educators and family members will assist with gathering information and inclusivity between all cultural groups represented in the Centre's community. Collaborative Partnerships are defined as “involving two-way communication and negotiation where educators and family members share information, exchange ideas and work towards shared goals” (Arthur et al. 2015 P37).
Livingston, Nancy and Birell, James. (1993) “Learning About Cultural Diversity through Literature.” Children’s Book and Media Review: Vol. 14: Iss 5, Article 2.
| Stories give children cultural experiences incommon with the other children in the classroom and inform all about the target culture.
Literature if used correctly can enhance a child’s life. It can become a valuable tool in helping children to understand their home, communities and the world in which they live. Through literature children’s vocabulary, imaginations, and self understanding is built. Children should be exposed to literature that is age appropriate and within the context of learning respect for themselves and others by the diversity of the books. My literature plan is based upon multicultural diversity which reinforces reading readiness, read-along that emphasis multicultural songs and rhymes, build self esteem through art, music and movement and responses to literature.
There are many factors that play a role in the learning process for every human being. Race, religion, language, socioeconomics, gender, family structure, and disabilities can all affect the ways in which we learn. Educators must take special measures in the delivery of classroom instruction to celebrate the learning and cultural differences of each of their students. As communities and schools continue to grow in diversity, teachers are searching for effective educational programs to accommodate the various learning styles of each student while promoting acceptance of cultural differences throughout the classroom. It no longer suffices to plan educational experiences only for middle-or upper class white learners and then