Category Archives: Module 7

Module 7: What is Culture? Assignment #2: Individualism vs Collectivism

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Watch the video

Review the handout

Individualists & Collectivists

Answer the questions below:

  1. Were raised in a family/ culture that was individualist or collectivist? How do you know? Give specific examples to support your conclusion.
  2. Is your Infant/ Family Case Study family collectivist or individualist family/ culture? How do you know? Give specific examples to support your conclusion.
  3. How can infant classrooms support families and babies who are from collectivist cultures? How can infant teachers arrange the classroom, materials, and activities to focus on collectivism (“we”) as opposed to individualism (“me”)? List specific practices and ways staff can support babies and families.  List methods that have not yet been mentioned.

Weekly Module 7: What is Culture? Assignment #1: Overview of Culture

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Cultural-Differences-Scenarios

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)

Gonzalez-Mena (2008) Chap 1

Part 3: Read Cultural Differences Scenarios. Pick 3 scenarios; for each scenario answer the following questions:

Cultural Differences Scenarios

  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.

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