Contents
Module Objectives
In this module, you will:
- Explore various perspectives of culture
- Analyze how culture impacts working with infants & families
- Evaluate your family’s cultural background
Assignment #1: What Do I Want My Professor to Know?
Help me to get to know you better by completing this anonymous Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftG0Fjqs9XuEoSzQ1F57FrCTN6wGyt6jZvEbyMMesaQauNSg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Activity #2: Module Handout
Complete this handout as you:
- Watch Individualism vs Collectivism
- Review the handout ‘Individualists & Collectivists’
- Read Gonzalez-Mena (2008) OR Day (2013)
Watch the video Individualism vs Collectivism
Review the handout: ‘Individualists & Collectivists’
Individualists & Collectivists
Link to Gonzalez-Mena (2008)
Gonzalez-Mena (2008) Chap 1
Link to Day (2013) — the reading is chapter 1, which begins on p. 17 of the PDF.
itguidesensitivecare
Optional Reading: The Importance of Culture (Esquivel et al., 2020)
Optional Reading: Developmental Influences: Culture (Eliason, 2017)
Submit your completed Module Handout on Blackboard, under Assignments, in Seminar Module Handout: What is Culture?
Activity #2: Evidence-Based Practices for Working with Families who have Infants
What are the evidence-based practices for working with families who have infants from the reading and video in this module? Identify your source (reading or video) as you develop the list. Your reading may have described families of older children; how can you apply the information to families who have infants? Post your list in the comments below.
Children should feel that their family is that they are accepted no matter what background they have. This also means that they should feel that their family is normal. This is depicted in the article by Gonzalez-Mena (2008) when the author writes “No matter what the staff’s political group or religious views are about marriage or family, the ethics or early childhood are clear..”. There should be mutual trust and partnerships with family. Cultural differences impact teachers working with babies in the sense they need to be more mindful of what they are teaching and not push their cultural norms onto the child. Teachers must be mindful that their curriculum and what they are teaching aids each student’s needs.
Ashley — Thanks for your comment in this module. I wonder, can you just make a list of the best/ evidence-based practices — that will make it easier for your Evidence-Based Practices project. You identified many important practices. I wonder, how can infant teachers help families feel they are “normal” & accepted? I wonder, how can infant teachers foster trust with families? I wonder, what should infant teachers keep in mind regarding the curriculum and teaching aids?
Practice: Teachers focusing on the celebration, dress, music and food of culture
Evidence: it allows to build security, and trust within both infant and families.it also allows the children to have stability on the cultural foundations that are being learned at home.
Source: DAY(2013)
Ashley — Thanks for your comment in this module. I wonder, can you just make a list of the best/ evidence-based practices — that will make it easier for your Evidence-Based Practices project. You identified an important practice for infant teachers and the source. I wonder, what should infant teachers do when focusing on “celebration, dress, and food of culture” (Reece, 2024)? I wonder, how will this build security and trust with babies and families?
Some evidence-based practices for working with families who have infants can be providing a positive parent and teacher relationship, in the article I read, Gonzalez-Mena (2008), he stated “”Let’s figure this out together” should be the theme song of teachers in the face of disagreements over what children need.” This to me implies that we should put the child’s needs over our disagreements, we must do what’s best for the child. I like the line he used “A better strategy is to focus on transformative education, where two people or groups come together and everyone is changed by the encounter”
– promoting responsive caregiving (Gonzalez-Mena 2008)
-Effective communication (also Gonzalez-Mena)
– Recognizing and respecting diversity of families’ (Gonzalez-mena)
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Amy– Thanks for your comment in this module. You started to make a list of the best/ evidence-based practices — that will make it easier for your Evidence-Based Practices project. “Let’s figure this out together” is an important mantra; I wonder, how can infant teachers use this when working with families? I wonder, are there any other practices from the readings & videos that you would add to the list?
Families should feel that their families are accepted , no matter what background they come from and what culture they come from and what cultural beliefs they practice. They need to see their families included in things so they can talk about it among their teachers and peers. In the article Gonzalez – Mena (2008 ) states , ” that must mean that they should never get the impression that their family is not normal.Also they need to see their families reflected throughout materials in the program ” (page 4 ,lower end of page ) . Teachers need to be mindful to include all families different cultures , beliefs and traditions within their child and within the classroom. Value your families, show them you respect them !!
Kaylah — Thanks for your comment in this module. I wonder, can you just make a list of the best/ evidence-based practices — that will make it easier for your Evidence-Based Practices project. I wonder, how can infant teachers accept, include, reflect, and value families in the classrooms? I wonder, what other practices did you identify from the readings & videos in this module?
Engage in conversations with families to understand their needs and perspectives. these practices can be applied to families with infants by considering the specific developmental needs and care giving practices relevant to infants. Evidence Gonzalez-Mena (2008).
Kylie — Thanks for your comment in this module. I wonder, can you just make a list of the best/ evidence-based practices — that will make it easier for your Evidence-Based Practices project. I wonder, what would the “conversations with families to understand their needs and perspectives” (Howell, 2024), look & sound like? Thanks for identifying the source! I wonder, what other practices did you identify from the readings & videos in this module?
Some evidence-based activities include creating activities that allow kids to express themselves and their cultures to others. Another evidence based practice is engaging with parents about their child’s development to build a closer bond with them.
Sources : Day (2013), Gonzalez- Mena (2008)
Cheyenne — Thanks for your post in this module. I wonder, what activities can infants 0-18 most engage in to express their culture? I wonder, how can infant teacher engage families about their child’s development? I wonder, what other practices did you identify from the materials in the module? Thanks for identifying the sources you used!
Some evidence is both the parents and infant teacher should meet and form a bound so both can have an understanding of the babies development. Baby should never feel like they are any different from anyone else. This is why it is important to look at different points of views where parents are coming from. We can apply this with the video attached that yes we should celebrate each child to their own accomplishments but not make others feel outcasted as they will also get a turn.
Sources, Gonzalez Mena 2008
Engage in open conversations with families to grasp their unique needs and viewpoints. Customize care for infants by understanding their developmental requirements and cultural backgrounds. Encourage activities promoting self-expression and cultural sharing. Foster strong relationships with parents through discussions about their child’s progress, aiming to build trust and understanding. Ensure inclusivity by celebrating each child’s achievements while avoiding actions that might make others feel excluded. Day (2013), Gonzalez- Mena (2008)
Some cultural aspects for working with families are:
Promoting positive child care interactions. Teachers should encourage and engage their parents to have responsive and sensitive interactions with their infants.This can help to also strengthen the parent child bond, and also support the the infants emotional development.
Teachers, should not be pointing figures and try to put a label on a child.”A child may be physically challenged, but does not mean he is crippled.” I. 1.4 – By incorporating cultural competence into practice, a teacher can better the needs of an infant and their families, in ways that is respectful and sensitive to their cultural beliefs. This approach can help build positives outcomes and strenghten relationships with families.
Avoid making assumptions, working closely with families, to develop a plan, that takes their culture into account. Avoiding leaving children with the notion that they are wrong, when they are doing what they have been at home.
Gonzalez-Mena. (2013)
Barbara Rogaff / Apprenticeship in Thinking