This assignment has 3 parts:
Contents
Part 1: Reflecting on Culture
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 do you define your cultural identity?
- How does your ethnicity, age, family, experience, education, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, religious practices, etc. impact your interactions with others?
- Describe a time when you became aware of being different from others. How did you feel? How did you deal with the situation?
- Why is it important to reflect on these questions if you are planning on becoming an infant teacher?
Part 2: Exploring Culture
Read Gonzalez-Mena (2008) complete this handout as you read
Gonzalez-Mena (2008) Chap 1Part 3: Cultural Differences Scenarios
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 scenario? 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!
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.
Hi shemella !
I agree many schools do teach kids to eat with spoons or forks but i don’t think they should allow him to eat with his hands because kids are very impressionable if other kids see him doing that they will most likely follow him which may cause a problem with other parents. In my response I said the teacher should speak with the family to let them know how they eat in school and try to explain it to the child and maybe they can have a special day “culture day ” where kids come and show different things from there culture and zed can show the other kids how and what his culture eats.
Hi Shemella!
I agree with you many schools do teach children to eat with spoons or forks and they should allow students who are taught at home due to culture to eat with their hands because you are showing the parents that you are respecting their culture but you should also ask if it is ok for you to teach their child to use a spoon to eat their food at school.
Hi shemella,
I agree that the teacher should learn how to pronounce the child’s name because it is very important that the child does not get confused from being called something else at his age.
Hi, Shemella I totally agree with on scenario #1 because is not a right to change somebody name because you can’t pronounce their name.
Mel — Thanks for your comment in this activity. Your responses indicate you are supporting the family/ child’s cultural identity. You connected Gonzalez-Mena to each of your responses. Gonzalez- Mena (2008) indicates that teachers should support family structures & preferences; I wonder, can you make a more specific connection and/ or different connection to Gonzalez-Mena (2008) for scenario #2 and 5?
I chose Scenario 3. My reaction was why didn’t the teacher ask Angelique why she’s scared to go in the crib by herself instead of forcing her to go into the crib. This had an impact on Angelique because she’s used to sleeping with family whereas when she’s in the care of the caregiver she has to learn how to sleep by herself. One way to handle this is to have someone sleep with her until she’s comfortable sleeping by herself.
Diamunique — Thanks for your comment in this activity. Your response is supports Angelique’s transition to the program and sleeping by herself. I wonder, how does your response connect to Gonzalez-Mena (2008)?
For Scenario 1, my first reaction was upset. Why wouldn’t the teacher try to pronounce her name before coming up with a name for her? The cultural differences can have an impact on the child because the child might feel disrespected because it could be a big part of her identity. One way to handle this is by trying to pronounce her name until you get it right. This connects to the reading because on page 4, Gonzalez-Mena talks about what could be integral parts of someone’s identity.
Scenario 2:
My reaction was understanding. However, it’s important for the teachers to respect a child’s culture. Ying might eat with spoons at home instead of the chopsticks. One way to handle this is to buy chopsticks for Ying and have him choose what he wants to eat with. This connects to the Gonzalez- Mena reading because on page 10. she talks about how children can learn new cultural systems while still keeping their home culture close to them.
Hi Diamunique, I too choose scenario 2, it would be and conflict of interest between the family culture and American culture and because as infant teachers we and to make every family culture feel respected.
Diamunique — Thanks for your comment in this activity. Your responses indicate you are supporting the children to maintain their cultural identity. For scenario #1, I wonder, can you make a more specific connection to Gonzalez-Mena (2008), similar to your connection for your 2nd scenario?
1) Sceanario#1
-I Actually don’t have a reaction to this,this is something that happens often so its not surprising.I don’t agree with it but I’ve seen it before.
-This can confuse a child and also make them feel as thought there is something wrong with there name.
-The teacher could as the child and parent how to say the name . Maybe ask the parents if the child has a nick name that she likes to be called
– Mutual respect is the goal,though it isn’t easy… Gonzalez-Mena (2008 pg 6). I feel as though calling a child or any one something other than their name is disrespectful to their culture. If the child wasn’t saying the teachers name correctly i’m sure the teacher would have continued to correct the child until she got it right.
2) scenario #2
-I don’t feel as though the teacher did anything wrong a spoon is a common eating utensil so i don’t feel like the teacher was purposely trying to take ying away from his culture.
-This just may be something new for ying and it could possibly have a positive affect . Ying can go home and tell his family he used a spoon today in school.
-The teacher may not have been aware that ying uses chop sticks. If she was aware she could let the family know and also maybe a special day where all the kids eat with chopsticks and maybe have ying teach them how to use them.
-This connects to the reading because on page 7 Gonzalez says ” The point of cultural Plurism is to promote diversity”. Going back to the previous question I feel like the teacher should encourage yings culture, by having a day where ying can teach the class to use chopsticks will let the students know that different is ok.
3) Scenario #3
This is a sensitive matter i feel like this is something that should be discussed with the family. I would have let the parents know that in this daycare the children sleep alone and maybe we can come up with an alternative to help her feel more comfortable when she is sleeping. Maybe the teacher can sit next to her until she falls asleep or maybe she has a stuffed animal that can comfort her.
Hi Brittney
I totally agree with you, because as you said it is very common to see teachers calling their students different names because they can not pronounced their names. I think the teacher is disrespecting the infant’s culture and his identity. In this kind of scenarios, children change their names as adults, so they don’t have to deal with this shameful situations.
Hey Brittney, I too choose scenario 1 when I started going to school no teacher would pronounce my last name correct but because 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.
Brittney — Thanks for your comment in this module. Yes, Scenario #1 happens frequently — I wonder, does that mean it is right or acceptable practice? For scenario #2, I wonder, where is a spoon a common eating tool and where is a spoon not a common eating tool? For scenario #3, working with the family is important. I wonder, how does your response connect to Gonalez-Mena (2008)?
1)I picked scenario #1, because it’s a situation that happens in a everyday school
2)I didn’t have a reaction because it tends to happen.It’s not right for the teacher to give her a random nickname
3)Some impact dos the difference in cultural practices have on the child Cause there’s a lot of children that have unique spelled name which can be difficult to pronounce.
4)Yes there’s another way to handle the situation just because she isn’t able to pronounce she could just ask the parents or even colleagues even google pronunciation.
5)This connects to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) Reading people “To respect the dignity and preferences of each family and make an effort to learn about its structure, culture language, customs and beliefs” (PG12)This connects to the teacher in scenario #1 not even trying to pronounce the child names and just gives a nickname when she should make an effort to try.
Lesly — Thanks for your comment in this activity. Yes, the practice happens frequently; does that mean that is should happen or that it’s acceptable? I wonder, what are the other scenarios that you selected?
1. Scenario #1
– My reaction was shocked because the teacher didn’t try to pronounce the child’s name before giving the baby another name. Although it happened to me when I was in high school, my teacher didn’t know how to pronounce my last name, so he used to call me “double D”.
– This can confuse the child and make her feel frustrated as her name is part of her identity.
– One way is to try to pronounce the child’s name until getting it or ask the child’s parents if the child has a nickname.
– This connects to the reading because on Page 5 Gonzalo says “To respect the dignity and preferences of each family and to make an effort to learn about its structure, culture, language, customs and beliefs” I think that the teacher should respect the child’s name as part of her culture instead of changing it because she thinks is difficult to pronounce. Names are part of an identity because sometimes when you hear certain names you can assume, for example, she/he is Latin, American or Asian.
2. Scenario #2
– My reaction was understandable because in many schools children are taught to eat with spoons or forks, which is a common utensil, however, the teacher must find a way to buy the child some chopsticks.
– This can confuse the child because eating with chopsticks is part of his culture and identity, so he might think he is doing something wrong when he eats with a spoon.
– The teacher should allow the child to eat with chopsticks or explain why some people eat with a spoon and let him choose which one to use.
– This connects to the reading because on Page 10 Gonzalo states that “The ideal is that children benefit from learning new cultural systems and still keep their home culture” Which I think is important to teach children about other cultures and customs.
3. Scenario #5
– My reaction was understanding because in many schools children are taught to eat with spoons or forks, which is a common utensil, however, the customs should be respected.
– Zed may get confused because his family always eat with their fingers
– The teacher should speak with Zed’s family and explain to them that children are learning to eat with spoons and forks, however, they want to let them know that their culture and customs are respected and that is why the teachers want to know their opinions or options.
– This connects to the reading because on Page 8 Gonzalo says “You must know how to meet their needs in culturally appropriate ways” I believe that teachers must respect each culture and try to do their best when they have to satisfy the needs and desires of each child without neglecting their customs.
Daniela — Thanks for your comment in this activity! I found your other 2 scenarios, sorry! The connection you selected to Gonzalez-Mena (2008) for your 2nd scenario is a powerful one! We want to build & add skills — like using a spoon — to a child’s repertoire of abilities, we don’t want to take anything away from a child’s culture, like using chopsticks. Being able to meet babies needs in culturally appropriate ways — especially when we are not from the same culture — can be a challenge!
Daniela — Thanks for your comment in this activity. I am sorry that happened to you — what that teacher did was inappropriate. Since other people have used the same quote/ concepts from Gonzalez-Mena (2008), I wonder, what other ideas from the chapter connect to your response? What other 2 scenarios did you choose for this actvity?
Scenario #1-
– My reaction was upsetting because the teacher didn’t try to pronounce the child’s name and just decided to change their name.
-This can affect the child and make them feel upset because it is their name it is a part of them.
-A way to try to pronounce the child’s name is by asking their parents nicely how do they pronounce their name or if they have a nickname for the child that use at home.
– On page 5 Gonzalo says “to respect the dignity and preferences of each family and to make an effort to learn about its structure, culture, language, customs and beliefs”(pg. 12). This connects to the readings because the teacher should respect the child’s name because its a name that is a part of their culture. It isn’t a teachers rights to change a child names specially when it is part of their identity.
Scenario #2
-My reaction is understanding because in many schools they teach children how to use a spoon to eat but teachers should also respect their cultures and they should buy chopsticks to respect their cultures.
– This may confuse Ying because using chopsticks is part of their culture and their identity. Therefore using a spoon will make them think they are doing something that is wrong because they are not using chopstick.
– The teacher should either buy chopsticks and allow Ying to eat the way he was taught at home.
– this connects to the readings because Gonzales states “The ideal is that children benefit from learning new cultural systems and still keep their home culture” (pg 10). This shows how children should be taught other cultures but they should keep their main culture the same not let nothing change it.
scenario #5
– my reaction is understanding because in many schools they teach children how to use a spoon to eat but teachers should also respect their cultures and let them eat how they were taught at home.
– this may confuse him because Zed was taught how to eat without a spoon or fork.
– The teacher should respectfully talk to Zed parents and let them know if it is ok for Zed to be taught at school how to use a spoon and fork to eat. They will also know that their culture is respected and if they wish not to let Zed use a spoon or fork they will allow Zed eat with his fingers.
-On page 8 Gonzalo says “You must know how to meet their needs in culturally appropriate ways” I think it is important for teachers to respect their culture and try to please the needs of every child.
Madelin — Thanks for your comment in this activity. Your responses indicate you are working to support the children to grow in their cultural identity while adding new skills from the dominant culture. You connected Gonzalez-Mena (2008) to your comment; however, all of the quotes and concepts from Gonzalez-Mena (2008 you selected are ones that have been used before. I wonder, can you select unique material from Gonzalez-Mena (2008) that has not been shared yet?
I chose scenario 1 because the teacher was being rude, she could have asked the parent how to say the child’s name.I was shocked and upset because the teacher decided to not even bother saying the name and just said okay I’m going to call you this instead.The child must have felt bad because their name was not acknowledged and was just given a nickname. The teacher could have asked the parent how to say their name correctly. On Page 5 Gonzalo-Mena said “to respect the dignity and preferences of each family and to make an effort to learn about its structure, culture, language, customs and beliefs” the teacher should’ve been more respectful and have not changed the child’s name because their name is their identity and it has meaning to the child’s family.
I chose scenario 2. My reaction is understanding because every culture is different and have different ways of doing things. The child uses chopsticks at home with his family but in school he is given a spoon, this might confuse Ying and question his culture regarding the utensils. You could ask Ying’s parents to bring in chopsticks for him to use when it’s lunchtime and have him pick what utensil he would prefer. On pages 7- 8 Gonzalez-Mena states that ” to aim for cultural pluralism… you must have a clear understanding of differences… you must know how to meet their needs in culturally appropriate ways” the teacher should use this a learning experience with the kids and let them know that cultures are different and it is okay to be unique.
I chose scenario 3. I would be confused because Angelique does not want to be in the crib at all and she is screaming. This should be discussed with her parents because she is terrified of sleeping in the crib. While speaking to her parents ask if there is something that gives her comfort.
Brenda — Thanks for your comment in this activity. Working with families is crucial when working with infants — particularly around culture. You connected 2 of your responses to Gonzalez-Mena (2008); I wonder, how does your 3rd scenario connect to Gonzalez-Mena (2008)?
I choose Scenario #3 because sleeping in the family bed still found in a lot of cultures. my reaction was normal because it is understandable if she sleeps in her family bed, its normal that she will fear sleeping in a crib. This can impact Angelique in negative way because it interferes her feeling of safety. Other ways to handle the situation is rocking Angelique until she falls asleep, then putting her in the crib. at the same time talk to parents about what happened and what is their suggestions to solve this issue. That connect to Gonzalez-Mena(2008) in page 18 when talks about “lets figure out” how can the caregiver and the parents come up with a solution satisfies both, by being opened minded to each other ideas.
Scenario #5 my reaction was normal because I know there some culture eats with their hands, I think this cannot impact zed because a lot of kids at this age cannot hold the spoon yet regardless of the culture, a teacher can handle the situation by talking to zed that everyone has to eat with spoon in day care and at home he can eat with his hands. That is connect to Gonzalez-Mena(2008) because she said having a routine or a behavior in the classroom is ok, only if it doesn’t cause harm to any culture.
Scenario #1 My reaction was surprising. Every time anybody calls her with the nickname the teacher gave her, she is not going to respond because Ifemelu will be very confused and may feel ashamed of her name. Another way to handle the situation is for the teacher to practice pronouncing her name correctly. This connects to Gonzalez-Mena(2008) talking about dignity , and that nobody has the right to change anyone’s dignity. Names are not just what you call people, it’s part of who you are. Its attached to some aspects of your life, and nobody has the right to change that because they don’t feel like working a little harder to pronounce someone’s name.
ELizabeth — Thanks for your comment in this activity. Your responses indicate you are working to support the children to grow in their cultural identity. Communicating with families is important when working with infants, especially around issues of culture. You connect your responses to Gonzalez-Mena (2008).
Scenario #7
Ginnika has been taught at home to only eat with the right hand. The toddler room staff insist Ginnika hold her spoon with the right hand and plate/bow with her left.
-What is your reaction to the scenario? Why?
I think I would be surprised because the behavior is a little unusual and inconvenient.
-What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Why?
The child may have the impression that he is doing something wrong when he is only doing what he has learned at home.
-What is your reaction to the scenario? Why?
As long as the child is happy and comfortable, we don’t have to insist on changing the child’s behavior while eating. We should accept different perspectives.
Gonzalez states, “Disagree about what is good or right. It is important for teachers and caregivers to clarify what they believe is good practice, as well as begin to open up other perspectives even those that may conflict with their own” (20-21).
Scenario #1
Ifemelo begins attending the toddler class. when the teacher is told her name, she announces That is too hard to pronounce. We will call you Iffie gnow on”
-What is your reaction to the scenario? Why?
I would be very upset, because infants need to be treated with respect the way we would like to be treated. The teacher is disrespecting the infant’s culture and his identity when calling the infant, a different name just because it is hard for the teacher to pronounced it.
-What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Why?
The child may be confused because in school he is being calling by a different name. Maybe in the future she will change her name because she doesn’t like the name anymore after what she had experienced at school.
-Is there another way to handle the situation?
I think that is our job as teachers make the effort and memorize the correct way to pronounce the name, in order to avoid culture loses. Gonzalez states “The dominant culture competes with the home culture and the home culture loses, that happens when the programs goal is to eradicate the home culture” (17).
Scenario #2
Ying uses chopsticks at home with his family, but in his toddler class he is giving a spoon.
-What is your reaction to the scenario? Why?
I would be curious to see child’s reaction discovering a different way of eating
-What impact does the difference in cultural practices have on the child? Why?
Maybe the child will have the impression that he is doing something wrong when doing something that he learned at home, because he sees the rest of the class eating with a different utensil.
-Is there another way to handle the situation?
I would wait to see the child’s reaction, if he can’t eat with the spoon, or if he feels uncomfortable, I will talk to the parents and find a solution together, maybe they can send the chopsticks with the child or we can train the child to use the spoon as well. Gonzalez states “Do some problem solving about the issue and together come up with a solution “Lets figure this out” (20).
Marcela — Thanks for your comment in this activity. For Ginnika, and some cultures, people eat with their right hand because the left hand is used for toileting. These are typically cultures that do not have access to modern bathrooms, etc. Confusion when asked to do something at school that is different from practices at home is very common — and what we want to avoid. Communicating with families is important when working with babies. You connected your responses to Gonzalez-Mena (2008)
Scenario #1
1. I chose scenario #1 because I can relate to someone not pronouncing your name correctly and then they give you a name that’s easier for them to pronounce.
2. My reaction to this scenario isn’t really much of a reaction because this happens to everyone but just because it happens doesn’t mean you should let it happen it to you. As for infants and toddlers they do not speak much so they don’t have a voice to correct anyone but its definitely not okay for you to change a Childs name because you can’t pronounce it.
3. This can impact the child’s identity by confusing them with a nick name instead of their full name.
4. By handling this situation I would ask the parent how to pronounce the child’s name so I can perfect saying the child’s name.
5. This connects to the Gonzalez-Mena (2008) reading on page 4, Gonzalez-Mena talks about what could be integral parts of someone’s identity.
Scenario #3
1. I chose scenario #3 because I know a lot of parents who still let their child sleep in their bed due to their culture and beliefs.
2. I am not really shocked by this because this is normal for first time parents or continuing parents who have more than one child to let their child sleep in their bed up until a certain age.
3. This may impact the child by taking away her safety net into sleeping alone in her own crib.
4. I would handle this situation differently by rocking or cuddling Angelique until she is sound asleep and then putting her in her crib so that way she can feel safe and comfortable.
5. I believe that this connect’s to Gonzalez-Mena(2008) in page 18 when he discusses how the caregiver/ parents come up with a solution that can make them both happy and more opened minded into including each other ideas.
Scenario #5
1. I chose scenario #5 because every culture is different on how they raise their children.
2.My reaction was consideration and a bit sensitive to this because in many cultures kids eat with their hands even though they are taught in school to eat with a spoon.
3.The child may get confused because he was taught at home to eat with his fingers
4. I think the teacher should let the child’s parents know that in school they teach the children to eat with spoons and that they have noticed he only eats with his fingers and they would like to understand a little more about their culture so they can accommodate the child In possibly learning to eat with both.
5. This connects to the reading on Page 8 Gonzalo says “You must know how to meet their needs in culturally appropriate ways.”
Hello Selanie I agree with you because of Scenario #3 I will do the same and try to make her feel safe.
Selanie — Thanks for your comment in this activity. For scenario #1, just because it happen often, does that make it “right” or acceptable? We want to avoid the confusion that occurs when babies have to use a different set of practices at home than at school. You connect your response to Gonzalez-Mena (2008); I wonder, how can you connect you responses to material from Gonzalez-Mena (2008) that has not been mentioned yet?
Scenario 2:
-I would see how he react once he’s handed the spoon and teach him how it used.
-The impact this difference may have would be him learning how to eat with more than one thing and seeing which one works better.
-Another way to handle this is asking him do he feel comfortable if not we can get him some chopsticks instead.
-This relates to the reading because Gonzalez talks about children learning new cultural systems .
Scenario 5:
– I would take this usual because at the age of 1 kids don’t know how to use utensils yet.
-The impact this may have on the kid would be him examining the spoon trying to see what it works for
-Another way of handing this would be to let him see you use it and taking it step by step
-This relates to the reading because Gonzalez because she mentioned how you must know how to meet their needs in culturally appropriate ways and learning new things.
Scenario1:
-My reaction would be shocked because I feel you should ask the student would they like to be called that before make it a habit.
-The impact this may have is everyone around that person may call her that and also think its difficult to pronounce.
-Another way to handle this would be trying to pronounce it or having the girl break it down for you to make it easier.
-This connects to the reading because Gonzalez talks about identity and how to follow that persons wants.