Assignment #1: Overview of Culture
This assignment has 3 parts:
Part 1: Go to FlipGrid (https://flipgrid.com/00988321 your user name is your first name as it appears in CUNY First) to answer these questions
Reflect then answer the following questions:
- How did you become aware of your personal identity (nationality, culture, and ethnicity)?
- What early messages did you receive about other groups?
- How did you define family when you were growing up? Has your definition changed?
- What messages did you receive about your family’s socioeconomic status?
- Were girls treated differently from boys in your family? What were your family’s expectations for you?
- How and when were you encouraged to express your ideas and feelings?
- Was it acceptable to be noisy and active in your home, or were children expected to be seen and not heard?
- How was discipline handled?
- Was independence encouraged?
- Why is it important to reflect on these questions if you are planning to become an infant teacher?
Part 2: Read Gonzalez-Mena (2008)
Part 3: Read Cultural Differences Scenarios. Pick 3 scenarios; for each scenario answer the following questions:
Cultural Differences Scenarios
- Which scenario did you choose? Why?
- What is your reaction to the scenariio? Why?
- What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Why?
- Is there another way to handle the situation?
- How does this connect to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading? Make specific connections, identifying the page number.
Reply to 1-2 other comments!
1. Which scenario did you choose? Why?
2. What is your reaction to the scenariio? Why?
3. What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Why?
4. Is there another way to handle the situation?
5. How does this connect to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading? Make specific connections, identifying the page number.
S #4
1. Answer: I choose number 4 because of Jorge. It could be difficult to fall asleep during a time where he is usually up at home.
2. Answer: My reaction is I understand that it may be a little bit more harder to get the child on a time schedule. Im more about helping and teaching a child new things and with Jorge getting him on a sleep schedule will make me feel I did accomplish something important.
3. Answer: Jorge is probably used to being up at home around the time we have nap time. His mom or his dad may have play during the day and sleep through out the times we would be active in class.
4. Answer: I will speak with mom or dad regarding this matter and try to encourage the family to put Jorge on a nap schedule at home around the times we have nap time at school so he could know when it is time to go and take a nap and also keep him active at the times we are active in the classroom.
5. Answer: This connects with Mena (2008) reading because it explains in the reading “You must see where child and teacher behavior fail to mesh so that you can make adjustments” (pg 8). As the teacher I see I fail in having Jorge sleep when it times to sleep and sleep during the time of activity time with the other children and I must make a adjustment.
S #1
1. Answer: I choose #1 because I see this all of the time in society. Where people don’t know how to pronounce your name so they just think it is okay to give you a nickname because your name is too hard.
2. Answer: My reaction would be kind of upset at the caregiver to say this to a child because you should as a caregiver want to be able to know your children (especially by their name) even it is difficult.
3. Answer: The child is probably from different country and maybe doesn’t know the “American” society way. SO just how the care giver doesn’t know their name because it is difficult to pronounce the child also is in a new environment and it your job to make sure the child does become comfortable.
4. Answer:I would pull the teacher to the side and let the teacher know that she must try to get comfortable with the childs name since the child will be in the classroom very much often and it is the right and respect way to go.
5. Answer: This connects with Mena (2008) reading because it explains in the reading Mena explains how her husband was born and raised in Mexico and people would come up him and say he doesn’t look Mexican but she also say “that would shock me because being females is a vital part of who iam, and I don’t want to be considered genderless” (pg 4). This is just how Ifemelu may feel, her name is apart of who she is. As a teacher it is your job to make sure that you connect with your children and not make them feel as a outcast and nicknaming the child just because you do not know her name is wrong.
S #2
1. Answer: I choose # 2 because it is a cultural identity.
2. Answer:My reaction would be shocking because I don’t know how to get with chopsticks and to see a child eat with chopsticks may influence me to start. But I would preferred the child to eat with the chopsticks but also learn with a spoon as well.
3. Answer: Ring is from a different country which is different from the American way which we need to learn and respect.
4. Answer: I would let Ying eat with his chopsticks but also teach him how to eat with a spoon as well. I Would just want Ying to know how to eat with a spoon just in case in the future he needs to but while at school he can eat with whatever he is comfortable with. Also let mom or dad know to encourage eating with a spoon at home as well.
5. Answer: This connects with Mena (2008) reading because it explains in the reading Mena states “Understanding cultural differences is a subject that goes far beyond eat holidays people celebrate and what food they eat” (pg 12). This shows that not only does what they eat and holidays but also how cultural identity plays a role in a way a child is growing up and learning
Hey Janate we have two of the same scenarios ( 4 & 1) and I agree with what you are because we do not what is going on unless we are communicating with the families on a daily basis and maybe even speak with the program staff to get extra support. For S1 I had the same reaction of being upset because it seemed very disrespectful to just I guess “dismissed” the child in that way. For S4 your quote for question 5 I was going to use the same one but I really did not know how to connect it properly and I think you did well.
Hey Janate, I too choose scenario 2, it would be and conflict of interest between the family culture and American culture
Mel — Thanks for replying to Janate’s comment. It is a conflict between culture’s. I wonder, can you explain why it is a conflict in more detail?
Janate — Thanks for your comment. You connected your posts to the the reading. I think with Jorge it’s not about the time he sleeps, but the environment he is sleeping in; he is not used to sleeping a quiet places. If the situation were the time Jorge sleeps, I wonder, why should the family/ Jorge follow the classroom’s sleep schedule? How does individualized routines come into play? Why shouldn’t the teacher’s follow Jorge’s/ the family’s sleep schedule? I wonder, if Ying only eats with chopsticks at home, why would he need to learn to use a spoon?
Scenario 1
1. My reaction is Shocked. It is not Okay to give a child another name because you are unable to pronounce their name
2. This will confuse the child of what their name is.
3. The teacher should learn to pronounce Ifemelu name.
4. This connects to Gonzalez- Mean talks about Cultural Pluralism “individuals should be allowed, even encouraged, to hold on to what gives them their unique identities” Ifemelu name might have a meaning behind it and calling him Iffie strips that meaning
Scenario 2
1. My reaction is Understanding. Manny schools teaches children how to eat with spoon but Being respectful to a child’s background and culture is important
2. Ying may go home and try to convince he family that eating with chopsticks is wrong, this takes away value from he family culture.
3.The teacher should allow Ying to eat with chopstick
4. Gonzalez-Mean (2008) talks about teachers should be able to adapt and respect family’s structures and preference.
Scenario 5
1. My reaction is understanding. Many schools teaches children how to eat with spoons but being respectful to a child’s background and culture is important
2. Zed may go home and try to convince he family that eating with chopsticks is wrong, this takes away value from he family culture.
3. The should allow Zed to eat with his hands
4. Gonzalez-Mean (2008) talks about teachers should be able to adapt and respect family’s structures and preference.
Hey Shemella ! we both had scenario 1 and I was also shocked. I wanted to say the quote you picked fits so perfectly to this scenario. As caregivers, we should be empowering young children to feel proud of who they are and that includes their name. If this was an older children setting I would make sure that in the theme of “All about me” names are included and have a space where children can get to write or express how do they feel about their name. For your S2 I just wanted to say that I had the opportunity to visit a classroom in Chinatown and majority of the children including African-American and Latino (the few that were there) were all eating or trying to eat with chopsticks and I found it interesting because for the African-American and Latino children and family this is a culture shock or new experience. After speaking with the teacher she had made a whole lesson plan or curriculum on including everybody and having books and songs. It was really awesome.
Patty — Thanks for replying to Mel’s comment. I love your story! I want to go visit that classroom!!!!
Mel — Thanks for your comment. You connect to Gonzalez-Mena (2008) in your responses. Your responses also demonstrate that you allowing the child/ family to practice their culture in the classroom and not forcing a baby or family to assimilate to– or adopt — the practices of the classroom! We never want to devalue a family’s culture. Culture is closely tied to identity — if we devalue a culture practice, it impacts a person’s self-esteem.
Greetings Shemella,
I also chose this scenario as it is something I struggled with growing up. I was the child who waited anxiously for my named to be called during attendance because I’d knew the teacher would screw up and pronounce my name wrong. Going through that experience has taught me that these little moments matter because it creates self-esteem in children. The way I’d do it is ask how the name is pronounced before I try on my own to not embarrass the child.
I chose scenario #1 because I personally witnessed situations similar to it. I also experienced something similar with the pronunciation of my last name. I am not surprised by the scenario but it still shocks me on how caregivers can say such thing like this knowing that children come from different cultures and households with different traditions. The child can feel offended because the child can be taught to admire their names and the meaning behind it. The child may act out because of the caregivers actions. The way I would handle this situation would be, first by asking if they have a nickname they like to go by. Secondly, I will try to pronounce their name and if I do not get it right away, I will tell them that I will get it right to just bare with me. I would not called them anything else that is not their name without them wanting to. This connects to the Gonzalez- Mena (2008) reading because on page 7 it stated, “To aim for cultural pluralism in an early care and education program, you must have a clear understanding of differences. In other words teachers should accept every child’s culture and tradition whether it’s new to them or not.
Grace — Thanks for your comment. I am sorry that similar situations have happened to you. You connected Gonzalez-Mena (2008 to your response. The teacher may need time to pronounce Ifemelu’s correctly, but taking time to practice, acknowledging that the teacher needs time to practice and feedback to pronounce the name correctly is important. I wonder, what other 2 scenarios did you choose?
Scenario 1
1. I would be ashamed of this teachers actions. The teacher did not have consent nor permission to address the child by a nickname. In order to make the child feel comfortable you have to show how willing you are to listen to be there for them.
2. The impact on these cultural differences will help you understand that there are children from different cultural backgrounds. You are even able to learn as the teacher yourself on the different diversity in the class.
3. Another way to handle this is to speak to the teacher after school and notify them that what they said and done is not ok. But establishing another character on this child will cause them to feel uncomfortable in the school environment. To show the child we are willing to be there for them, we must practice their names are even ask them if they would like to be called anything else other than their name.
4. This connects to Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading because her husband has been accused of not looking a part and we don’t want the child to feel as if they don’t belong just because of their given name.
Hey Tamia, i agree with your answer for #4, talking to the teacher and telling them its not acceptable and that she should practice and learn the child’s name or give them the option for what they prefer you call them.
Lacoya — Thanks for replying to Tamia’s comment. I wonder, why do you agree with the steps Tamia outlined?
Tamia — Thanks for your comment. Our name is connected to our identity. If someone “gives us a new/ different” name or nickname, that impacts our identity. As you point out in your connection to Gonzalez Mena (2008), we would be denying a person their identity if we change their name, just as Gonzalez Mena’s husband identity as Mexican was denied. I wonder, what other 2 scenarios did you choose?
1. Which scenario did you choose? Why?
2. What is your reaction to the scenario? Why?
3. What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Why?
4. Is there another way to handle the situation?
5. How does this connect to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading? Make specific connections, identifying the page number.
Ans: 1) The Scenario is #1 because teachers or people in general who can’t pronounce someone name properly feel it’s necessary to change your name or call you something different.
#2 my reaction to this scenario upsets me because although the name is difficult to pronounce at least try and say it or ask the parents to say the infant name to you over again so you can practice it so the next time when your with the infant you will say her name correctly and not give the child a nickname.
#3. The impact that it has on cultural practice trying to understand the meaning behind the child’s name, how her name is connected to her culture, her roots, her background. This way you will learn about the child background and the other children background as well and you will learn that children in your class is diverse.
#4. Yes, i believe that there’s another way to handle this situation by addressing the teacher privately and tell her that it’s not ok to give a child a different name because she doesn’t know how to pronounce the child’s name. i would also tell her to try and pronounce the child’s name or ask the parents to teach her how to say the child’s name correctly so both child and parents will feel comfortable and respected.
#5 This connects to Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading because she said ” individuals should be allowed, even encouraged, to hold on to what give them their unique identity….” Ifemelu name because the teacher doesn’t know if her name has a meaning behind of it or if it connects to her roots or someone in her family
Scenario #2
#1 I choose his because its part of Ying’s culture and tradition.
#2 i feel that they should allow Ying to use the chopsticks when he’s eating in the class and not force the “American standard” on the child.
#3 The impact that this would have if the child goes home and start using spoons instead of what he’s custom using when he’s home might be looked at a sign of disrespect to his culture by his parents/family.
#4 Yes, i believe that there’s another way to handle this situation by having culture day in the classrooms, by introduce the everyone culture from utensil to food etc. so that each child can feel comfortable in the class when eating. This is how Teachers and other students learn about the importance of everyone culture and that it should be embrace.
#5 This connects to Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading because she said “Understanding cultural differences is a subject that goes far beyond what holidays people celebrate and what food they eat” (pg,12) this allows Ying to feel comfortable using he chopsticks when he’s eating and when the other children are exposed to each others culture they can connect with each other and their own culture and not be ashamed of it.
Scenario #7
#1.I choose this because its interesting how she (Ginnika) is only taught to use her right hand to eat. Maybe it’s part of her culture or something.
#2. I feel that the teacher is wrong for making the child use her right hand for holding the spoon and the left to hold the plate/bowl because she focus the child to do something that she doesn’t do at home. i understand that the teacher is trying to make her hold everything correctly in her eyes but she wrong for focusing Ginnika to do that. There’s a reason and purpose why her mother/family insist that she only used her right hand to eat.
#3 The impact that this will have on the child and her family wouldn’t be good because the child or her family are use to doing things in their household different from what they do at the school and maybe there’s a reason why the family taught Ginnika to only use her right hand.
#4 Yes, i feel like the teacher should ask the family why is it that Ginnika only allowed to use her right hand to eat. Asking if there’s a meaning behind of it, its part of their culture etc. Basically, sit and have a conversation with the her family.
#5. This connects to Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading because she said ” A mother insist on spoon-feeding a child who is capable of feeding herself, i feel upset. Until i understand that she values dependence, we’ll have a hard time talking to each other” the teacher insist that Ginnika should hold her spoon with her right hand and use her left to hold her plate/bowl which she shouldn’t force her to do. The teacher should speak to the family and find out why is it that Ginnika only allow to eat with her right hand
Hey Lacoya I too choose scenario 1 when I started going to school no teacher would pronounce my last name correct but they always made to the effort a make sure they got it right. And that effort they made never took the values from my name.
Lacoya — Thanks for your comment. As teachers, we want to honor and support a family (and baby) to continue to develop their culture. Referring to a child by their given name, allowing a child to use chopsticks and to eat with their right hand only respects and honors their culture. It is very confusing for children to do 1 thing at home and another thing at school. When working with infants, we want seamless, individualized routines — what happens at home happens at school. I wonder, for scenario #7, how does the Gonzalez Mena (2007) quote you chose fit with the scenario?
1:Which scenario did you choose? Why?
2:What is your reaction to the scenario? Why?
3:What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Why?
4:Is there another way to handle the situation?
5:How does this connect to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading? Make specific connections, identifying the page number.
Scenario1:
1: I choose this scenario because majority of the times I get the same problem with my last name. In the beginning, I would become really upset and correct everybody but now it has come down to point where I just move on and don’t try to correct them.
2:My initial reaction was I have been in this situation not where I have disrespected the child’s name but in the sense that I have children with names that I could not pronounce and it took me a while to learn.
3: I believe that the impact this has on the child is major. This might by the child’s first time in a child setting. Pronouncing or even shorten his name can make the child feel like he/she is not important to you. The name might have a powerful meaning that his parents have been teaching him before he was born.
4: For me the way to handle this situation would be by making sure when we have the “Initial Parent Teacher Conferences” which is a time to get to know the family better I would want to ask the family how to correctly pronounce the name and if they are comfortable by us calling their child by an abbreviation. I feel like this will make the parents feel respected and give them a sense of belonging in the classroom. I would also maybe speak to the family more and see if they would like to share anything on our family night.
5: This connects to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading from the very beginning. In the reading on page 4 it states ” I don’t want anyone to hold my gender against me or treat me unequally either, but I would feel very strange if someone made a point of ignoring a vital part of my identity” In this case the child’s name is their vital identity and the caregiver or teacher is clearly ignoring that and giving he/she a name that is more comfortable for them. To me this is like the teacher wanted to make the child fit in their culture without embracing the child’s culture first.
S3
1: I choose this scenario because this a situation that I have seen in many cases and it is something I personally see “right and “wrong”.
2: My reaction was this is so simple and yet so hard because a child sleeping with their parent seem so harmless but at the same time it makes me wonder about what is going on at home. This situation is happening because parents cannot really afford to have a separate space for baby Angelique. This could be happening maybe because Angelique’s mother had a difficult birth or Angelique was born sick and this is the family’s way of always protecting her and looking at her closely.
3: I believe that this totally make the child feel distress because maybe the child is already used to have someone next to her and maybe feeling protected from harm. Angelique falls asleep in caregiver’s arm feels safe and the crib is a place that is not familiar is a danger zone for her. Although the caregiver will be around Angelique does not know that.
4: I believe in speaking to the family first and trying to see what is the situation at home on why Angelique sleeps in a family bed instead of her own. I would handle this situation day by day and eventually come into an agreement and make sure every time I am talking to the parents use correct and positive information.
5: In the reading on page 8 it states ” You must know and respond to the parent’s goals, values, and beliefs related to the care and education of their child”. This means that before we can come with a decision we must first get to know the parents background and then come up with a “plan” to always make sure we are helping the child first.
S4
1: This scenario caught my eye because I automatically thought of what type of environment does the child live in.
2: Like all my other scenarios my reaction is the same in the sense of me trying to figure out how can I help this child and the only way of helping this child is to communicate with the family and listen to their side of the story.
3: This cultural difference to me impacts the child’s development in every way. Children need their resting time so they can be able to be their best selves. If a child is not sleeping like they should it must be communicated with the parents and come up with ways that is always going to benefit the child. It might be a quick process but we need to start somewhere.
4: I think the teachers should definitely speak to the family to see what is going on and if there is ways the program and provide help. I think the teachers should try different strategies in getting little Jorge to the idea of sleeping in a quiet area. I would say introduce books, sing songs. I do not really have experience with infants and toddlers but at this age they understand and by talking to them and assuring them they are going to be okay something can start making progress.
5: On page 18 it states ” Adults working with children and parents in child care and education settings need to regard sensitivity, respect, communication, and problem solving as keys to providing what children need” This quote is not only for this Scenario it can be applied to all the scenario but I feel like we need to be sensitive and make sure we all always communicating with the parents to reach a solution or an agreement.
Patty — Thanks for your comment. I am sorry that you experienced people mispronouncing your last name. Names are connected to our identity. You picked a powerful quote from p. 8 of Gonzalez Mena (2008) — we have to know a family’s goals, values and beliefs for their child. It is our job to follow those goals, values & beliefs. With scenario #4, Jorge is used to sleeping in an environment that has noise, and is not used to sleeping in a quiet nap room. Speaking to the family would help to uncover how/ where Jorge sleeps. Knowing that Jorge is not used to sleeping in a quiet space, I wonder, how would you support him and his family?
Which scenario did you choose? Why?
I chose S#1 because it caught my attention on how an adult can speak like that to a child.
What is your reaction to the scenariio? Why?
My reaction is that it is very unprofessional and rude for an adult to have a comment on a child’s name. A teacher should know better and should even ask the child or parents to teach them how to pronounce the name. There are ways to ask a question in a nice and professional way without being offensive.
What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Why?
The child might be impacted in a bad way because this is probably not the first time this has happened.
Is there another way to handle the situation?
Yes, ask the child about the name or the parents if you genuinely are confused with how to pronounce the name.
How does this connect to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading? Make specific connections, identifying the page number.
This scenario reminded me of the conversation on Page 13 where they were discussing that white people want things done their way, almost how the lady just wanted to refer to the child her way.
Which scenario did you choose? Why?
I chose S#2 because it interested me the different ways the child is exposed to eating.
What is your reaction to the scenariio? Why?
I didn’t react bad to the scenario because the child sees there is two different ways to eat. I just wonder if he knows in his culture it is normal to eat with chopsticks and most people eat with spoons and forks. I think that there should be communication between parents and teachers so the child can be exposed to his culture if that is what the parents desire.
What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Why?
The child knows that in his culture this is normal.
Is there another way to handle the situation?
Parents and teachers should communicate about their culture so everyone is being respected.
How does this connect to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading? Make specific connections, identifying the page number.
This scenario reminds me of Page 6 where the talk about Cultural Pluralism. Cultural Pluralism is allowing a individuals to keep there individuality. This is a way to bring a new way of eating to the classroom, as it is a learning experience.
Which scenario did you choose? Why?
I chose scenario #3 because to me it is normal, a lot of parents sleep with their child in the bed because they did it once and had to keep it going.
What is your reaction to the scenariio? Why?
My reaction is that this is why it’s important to try and get out of the habit to having your kid sleep with you.
What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Why?
In most Hispanic cultures babies sleep with their parents, and the only impact it can have is when it’s time to sleep in a crib in a day care of else where the baby might be uncomfortable.
Is there another way to handle the situation?
Try to talk to the family and see if they are willing to direct the child to a crib to see if it works.
How does this connect to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading? Make specific connections, identifying the page number.
This reminds me of what was discussed on page 14 where they talked about dependence. The child and parent both depend on each other. The child feels comfortable with the parent just as the parent got to comfortable sleeping with the child.
Hi Cindy I agree with you that the way the teacher handled the situation impacted the child in a bad way because it is offensive not only to the child but also the parents. Its important to communicate with the parents.
Cindy, Thanks for your comment. Our identity is connected to our name. Our identity is also tied to our culture and the cultural practices we engage in. Allowing Ying to use chopsticks supports his cultural identity. I wonder, why is it important for the family in scenario #3 to have the baby transition to their own bed — especially of in many Latinx families babies sleep with their families?
Which scenario did you choose? Why?
What is your reaction to the scenariio? Why?
What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Why?
Is there another way to handle the situation?
How does this connect to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading? Make specific connections, identifying the page number.
Scenario #1 – I chose scenario 1 because these types of scenarios happens a lot in school and its important to know how to solve a situation like this. My reaction was disappointment as a educator you have to be respectful and understanding. Yes there is another way to handle the situation. The teacher could have practice on saying the child name out of respect for the child cultural background. the impacts on cultural practices have on a child by how a child identify their selves and how they attend to their relationship with others. In the article the author says individuals should be allowed, even encouraged, to hold on to what give them their unique identity.
scenario #2
– I chose this scenario because of Yings cultural background.
My reaction wasn’t a bad one. I feel like the teacher should communicate with parents to see if its ok to teach their child to eat with a spoon. Cultural difference impacts a child positive and negative because it can be stressful learning two new things at a young age but then again can benefit them by knowing two new backgrounds and the child can interact with others. I would communicate with parents and continue teaching the child how to eat with spoons and forks. In the passage on page 6 explained about cultural pluralism. its important to allowed the child to have ther individuality.
scenario # 4
I would speak to the parents about his sleeping schedule and inform them how it can effect his development. Its all about team work and if the parents cooperate with your strategies in the classroom it will be easier for you and the child t adapt in school.
Tamaris — Thanks for your comment. Our name is such an important aspect of our identity. For Jorge, it’s not about the schedule, he is not used to sleeping in quiet spaces. I wonder, how does encouraging people to maintain their unique identity and culture pluralism connect to Ying using a spoon? Do we want babies to adapt to school or school to adapt to babies?
Scenario 1
1. I chose scenario#1 because people having difficulty with my name is something I struggled with and still do till this day so I could totally understand this scenario on a personal level. My reaction to this scenario is not a good one, it really frustrates me when people cannot put a bit of effort in pronouncing a name that was given to a child at birth for you to change it only because it’s too “difficult” for you. It was a totally unprofessional and disrespectful thing to do.
2. The child is so used to hearing his/her name at home, that when other people cannot pronounce it are giving them “easier” names, it can cause the child to feel different about their name.
3. There could have been so many better ways to have handled this situation, such as asking the child how it is pronounced or the parent if present, ask them if there a nickname they would like to be called, or just simply put in the effort to learn the child’s name the way it should be pronounced.
4. This connects with the Gonzales-Mena(2008) reading on pg. 6 where working on different shift of perspective is necessary and holding on to what gives a child or anyone their uniqueness is important, such as someone’s name.
Scenario 4
1. I chose scenario#4 because this is and could be a common issue with most children in a classroom. My reaction is to find a solution for Jorge so he no longer falls asleep in the classroom and continue with this pattern.
2. Jorge is so accustomed to a certain sleeping environment that changing that for him really causes a discomfort and affects his schooling.
3. There is another way to handle this situation, such as exchange information with the parents on Jorge’s sleeping environment at home and provide that same type of environment in the classroom.
4. This connects with the Gonzales-Mena(2008) reading on pg. 8 where it states “You must see where child and teacher behavior fail to mesh so that you can make adjustments.” You can test out what works or doesn’t work for Jorge by making adjustments to fit his needs.
Scenario 2
1. I chose scenario #2 because different eating habits are very much a thing and can be a problem that can occur in the classroom. My reaction to this is that there is a simple fix to this.
2. Ying is taught to eat at home a certain with chopsticks, so when presented with another option he/she may feel unfamiliar with the idea and
3. A way to handle this situation would be to allow Ying to use chopsticks if he does feel more comfortable for him to eat with.
4. This connects with the Gonzales-Mena(2008) reading on pg. 10 where it says “…teaching should be done so that it adds to their skills and doesn’t take anything away from them.” Perhaps Ying does not know how to use a spoon and is something that can be taught to him, without taking the option away from him to use chopsticks instead.
S#1
1) Which scenario did you choose? Why?
I chose scenario number 1 because of my name itself. My name is Eunice and people often made fun of it by calling me names that sounded similar to Eunice such as Uranus.
2) What is your reaction to the scenario? Why?
My reaction to the scenario is sort of disrespectful. I say disrespectful because each parent who choses to name their child is because it meant something to them. Each child named in this world is something that some parents think hard and long about because some families have a culture that believe what they name their child is what they will become to be.
3) What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Being I experienced this I can say that this makes the child self- low esteem raise to its lowest point. It comes to the point they start to hate the name their parent have given them where as to they feel as if they want to the change their name. I remember growing up for new friends that I met I wouldn’t share them my real name because I knew instantly people would make fun of name or question what kind of name it was. I would instead tell them my name was Jessica and this is what happens when adults or teachers, instead of taking the time to figure out the name they give them nick names.
4) Is there another way to handle the situation? Another way to handle this situation is by learning to accept the child’s name for 2 reasons. 1 being because it can help the child keep their self esteem and learn to accept their names themselves and 2 because these names come from parent’s that are meaningful to them.
5) How does this connect to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading? Make specific connections, identifying the page number.
This connects to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading because some of the things that belong to us such as names is what makes us who we are. Mena used this example in the gender section of culture. When someone has to question your gender it makes the individual feel shocking because these are the things that define us (pg. 11).
S#3
1) Which scenario did you choose? I chose scenario number 3 because we must learn the difference in environment of each person in order to provide comfort.
2) What is your reaction to the scenario? I would at first act shocking because there should be no big deal of a baby giving such a reaction from laying on a baby crib but after learning the environment back at home I would learn to understand the behavior the 10 month old baby performed. The baby is not used to the sleeping in a baby crib, this matter looks bizarre to the baby because he/she is not used to sleeping in a closed bed.
3) What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? This effect the child because while other students have a “normal” routine of sleeping baby cribs, this is not the way the 10 month old baby is used to.
Is there another way to handle the situation? Another way to handle this situation is communicating with the parent back at home who can try to teach what could make the baby comfortable while it needs to get used to sleeping in a crib at the school. Maybe a favorite blanket. I’d say also communicating with the baby and providing the baby comfort by letting them know that the crib is for nap time. Providing a lullaby to soothe baby and maybe even stroke the babies back.
5) How does this connect to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading? Make specific connections, identifying the page number.
This connects to the Gonzalez-Mena’a reading because we must take the time to understand what is going on and making possible connections back at home where the babies environment is different. We have to normalize and accept the different environment and culture beliefs people follow (pg. 12).
S#2
1) Which scenario did you choose?
I chose number 2 because it is part of a families culture which is very important.
2) What is your reaction to the scenario?
I would respect this scenario because I fully understand that some families have their traditions that they follow and how they do things.
3) What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child?
The impact the differences in culture practices have on the child is they’d have to start learning how to use a spoon which can be difficult because it’d be new to them.
4) Is there another way to handle the situation?
There is definitely another way that this can be handled by providing tools to students that have connection with their tradition. Providing and offering the child to make a decision of wanting to use chopsticks or a fork is what I would do. I would provide a choice for the child to make but I would also encourage the child to learn how to use a fork as well. One way I would encourage the child to use a fork is by informing him it would be cool to learn how to use more than one tool for eating and it’ll make him/her special. To provide comfort and equality I’d take a day in my class to teach all my children on how to use chopsticks as well to teach them that different families have a different routine of eating which would help them accept diversity as part of our world.
5) How does this connect to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading? Make specific connections, identifying the page number.
This connects to the Gonzalez-Mena 2008 reading because she explains that we have to be able to create cultural pluralism where we provide diversity and instead of seperating peoples tradition and differences within the class we need to be prepared to support different cultures (pg. 14)
1. I choose scenario #2
2. My reaction is that I would give ying some chopsticks because it is important to know your culture.
3. The impact that it will have on the child is that the child will become confused because its already used to eating that way and would question why at school they eat with spoons.
4. Another way to handle this situation is by asking their parents to send the child with a pair of chopsticks so that the child can eat with that instead or just have the child eat with a spoon at home.
5. This connects to the reading because he talks about how teachers should be able to adapt and respect family’s structures and preferences.
1. I chose scenario #1 because I see this a lot when other people don’t know to pronounce a child’s name.
2. I would be shocked because as a teacher you are supposed to create a comfortable environment for the children
3. This can confuse the child and maybe affect the child opinion of its name
4. The teacher should at least try and sound it out
5. This connects to the reading because he talks about cultural pluralism.
1. I chose scenario #3
2. I wouldn’t know how I will react
3. This will affect the child because the baby wont be used to it.
4. Another way to handle this is by talking to the parents.
5. This related with reading because he explains how we should try and understand the childs experience at home and make the best out of it.
I reviewed this module