The Importance Of Cultural Differences

Children and young people can now learn and understand about different cultures and beliefs through the media and within their own school and by talking openly and positively about race, religion, ethnicity and cultural comparisons and differences will only benefit children in their understanding and development of a healthy social attitude.

Overcoming stereotyping is a challenge educators can encounter when it comes to ensuring that teaching strategies are appropriate for culturally diverse children. Some educators may compare one child to another child that comes from the same cultural background and use the same teaching strategy. One way to overcome this is to make sure that educators know each of the students individually instead of comparing one to another or relying on stereotyping. “To truly engage students, we must reach out to them in ways that are culturally and linguistically responsive and appropriate, and we must examine the cultural assumptions and stereotypes we bring into the classroom that may hinder interconnectedness.” (Teaching Tolerance, 1991) Once they know more about each of the students then they can avoid stereotyping and adjust their teaching strategy to meet the individual needs of the students in the classroom.

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).

The book I chose to do an integrated unit on was The Skin You Live In by Michael Taylor with second grade students aged 7-8 years old. The big, colorful pages are vibrant and easy to absorb. This book delivers an important message about acceptance to young readers. It also has a great message that we are all different and the same and we should love ourselves for who we are. I have developed three activities that introduce concept explorations and challenge students to accept all cultures. It is very beneficial to involve learning students cognitively, emotionally, and physically. These lessons demonstrate learning experiences that are beneficial and relevant to children all over the world (Davis, 2011).

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

Teachers must learn about their student’s cultures if they want to educate them to the best of their ability. Many of the students in culturally diverse classrooms will want to learn in different ways. Some will want to learn in pairs, groups, as a class, or just alone. If the teacher is educated in their culture then lessons can be adjusted to appeal to every student as much as possible instead of forcing some to forget about their culture and learn like others. Students from

In today 's ever changing world teachers need to understand the importance of a multicultural education. It’s becoming essential to provide opportunities for their students to learn about the many cultures represented in america and the world around them. Studies have shown that by the year 2040 as surveyed by the U.S. census bureau, that “white non-hispanics will make up less than half of the school aged population” (Smith) Our country is ever growing and it doesn 't seem right to exclude cultural education to students when our nation was built by immigrants. Building curriculums that acknowledge different cultures,

There are cultural differences within all the communities that make up the world, we are constantly surrounded and reminded of these other cultures. In this paper cultural differences will be discussed from the film “Why Did I Get Married?” which is an African-American movie about the hardships one goes through in marriage, friendships, and trust. This paper is going to give specific examples of Hall’s perspective of culture on the screen and Hofstede’s five dimensions that are reflected in a particular pattern. Examples of both verbal and non verbal intercultural communication and how they relate to particular intercultural

Children must be taught about diversity. They should be taught how to live with others no matter the race they are coming from or their families. These three books are great in teaching children about diversity because everyone in general want them to grow up in a society free from discrimination and bias. The books will help prepare children by informing them how to live in the modern diversified society where everyone is unique in his or her own way.

Children books are a great way to promote diversity and provide information other than depending on teachers, parents, and television. Children books are invaluble to our children and society as they mold our society's education and written language. They resonate the temperament in our society about diversity and various social identities, such as race, ethnicity, gender, economic class, sexual orientation, and disabilities. Information young children retrieve from books, primary sources, and the media heavily influence their mental image of themseleves and others. Quality books have the ability to reinforce or undermine children’s acknowledgement of their characteristics, teach distinct/deludeding information about people of various identities,

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.

As an educator it is important to be aware of the various learners in the classroom as well as being able to shift lessons accordingly to adapt to a greater number of students. In addition it is essential that culturally responsive practices is adapted in the classroom in order for all students to have a sense of belonging and are able to participate. For this reason, a teacher must actively use culturally responsive practices to engage students and their families because it helps to develop a relationship and maintain a level of communication. Learning “facts” about different cultures is not enough, it is more important that we make

"Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. Cultural differences are nuisance at best and often a disaster." - Dr. Geert Hofstede

I had recently moved to my new apartment, in a new neighborhood, one drastically different from all that I had known, when one day there was a knock at the door. I was not sure who it could be since I did not know anyone for miles around, and was quite surprised when I looked out the window to see a short Latina (who I later on found out was Mexican). I was able to ascertain the fact that she was Hispanic when she began speaking Spanish to me, very rapidly, when I peered at her through the window.

Education is one of the most important factors in every person’s life regardless of where they’re from, their race, or their culture. Becoming educated not only makes life easier for us but also can help people become more successful in all things. However with so many people of various races, ethnicities and backgrounds in the United States it is difficult to create an education system that attends to each student’s individual culture. Ones own culture influences their actions and lifestyle, therefore this can create conflict if it is different from their schools cultural teaching style. Multicultural and multilingual classrooms have become the norm in many educational and professional settings throughout the U.S. because of changing immigration patterns caused by globalization (Institute for Educational Leadership, p. 2). For teachers today, it is essential to understand the role of culture and have the ability to interact interculturally in the classroom to create an effective learning environment. Analyzing cultural issues or differences can help teachers to understand some of the unconscious processes that shape individuals’ actions and interactions, as well as their language use and communication. “Teachers who understand cultural diversity…are more likely to be successful in their multicultural classrooms” (Samovar, Pg.2).