Professional Hopes and Goals: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Early Childhood Settings

We should enjoy every tree in the forest.

Every tree is valuable.
Have you heard the saying “Can't see the trees for the forest”?  That is how many people look at Early Childhood programs.  The “forest” is the total program but the “trees” are the families and children.  The forest/program may be beautiful but the trees/families and children make it beautiful.

lEach tree has it's own qualities and traits.  Some do well with a little help and some need more attention to grow to their full potential.

Unlike trees,all children need our help and some children need more attention to develop to their full potential. 

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Volunteer "Grandpa" has time to talk

Hispanic family in program

                                  

     

What kind of trees are in the forest?   Translation – what children, families and volunteers are in your program?

  

lThe families entering Early Childhood programs come from diverse cultures.  They may speak a language other than English as their first language.

lThey may come from various socio-economic backgrounds. They may enroll a child with different abilities.

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The challenge for early childhood educators is to become more knowledgeable about how to relate to children and families whose linguistic or cultural background is different from their own (NAEYC 1995).

  I further add that the early childhood educators can not shy away from reaching out to those families whose children may have differing abilities, not just special needs but also children who are gifted and talented.

 

  For the optimal development and learning of all children, educators must accept…respect…value…promote and encourage the active involvement and support of all families, including extended and nontraditional family units (NAEYC 1995).  These are the elements for a strength-based program.

                        

   

Acknowledge and Support Nontraditional Families

 

Support of children with Special needs

Children learn about each other through play

Acknowledge that children can demonstrate their knowledge and capabilities in many ways

     

Support All Children and Families

 

A Strong Forest is filled with different trees.  A strong and clear path will lead to success.

My hopes are that children and families feel respected, comfortable and included in programs designed to serve them.

My goal is to work with Early Childhood professionals who will be responsible for creating and implementing the programs that are anti-biased, inclusive, diverse, and stand for social justice.

To my colleagues, this course has allowed us to take a good hard look at ourselves and see the good and not so good parts of our social identities.  I have enjoyed our discussions, and I have learned about myself through reading them.

I wish you all the best as we continue our educational quests.  Please have a safe and Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice and a Happy New Year.

                                                              References

Dearman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J.O. (2010) Anti-Bias Education for Children and
     Ourselves Washington , DC:  National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (1995) Responding to Linguistic and
     Cultural Diversity Recommendations for Effective Early Childhood Education A position
     statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children Retrieved from

    http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSDIV98.PDF

Welcoming Families From Around the World - Our Family from Sri Lanka

 Our child development center just recieved word that a family from Sri Lanka will be starting next week.  We have enough time to prepare for their arrival.
First, I contact the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, DC to find out family hierarchy.  I want to show respect to the leader of the family.
I ask where the nearest consulate is located and/or if there are Sri Lankan communities in our city.
Second, I contact the community leaders to ask about the availability of translators of the official language, Sinhala.  I ask how children show respect to their elders.  I ask about customs.  I ask them to tell me something they think I should know.
Third, I consult with the translator to learn essential words the teachers and I will need for the children.  Words for  welcome, hello, good-bye, bathroom, rest and eat, and Mommy will be back to pick you up are vital to know.
Fourth, I meet with the teachers to give them information about the family, where they are from, the different religions in the country, the family hierarchy and all other information the community leaders shared with me.  I would also require them to research the Sri Lankan culture and where it is located in the world.

 

The fifth step before their arrival, I would have the teachers make a welcome sign for the children and family entering their classroom, written in their first language and in English with a picture of their country's map.

I feel these preparations would benefit me by learning more about a country and culture I know nothing about.  This would increase my knowledge base and help me feel comfortable with the new family.

I feel these preparations benefit the family because they would see the thought that went into their arrival.  They would feel truly welcomed.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression- I didn't know I felt like that!

When my niece "came out", I felt disappointment.  I didn't know I felt like that.



When my brother married a white woman, I felt he was a "lost brother".  I didn't know I felt like that.





When my daughter weighed over 250lbs., I felt disgusted.  I didn't know I felt like that.




When another niece had 3 babies in 2 years, by the time she turned 21, I thought she was stupid.  I didn't know I felt like that.





When my aged mother-in-law moved in with us and needed constant attention.  I felt her old age was a nuisance.  I didn't know felt like that.





Fortunately, maturity and life's lessons changed my thoughts and feelings of those emotions. Those bias', prejudices and oppressive behaviors no longer exist for me.

My niece, who happens to be a lesbian, is beautiful and talented.  Who she chooses to love, is her business. This is how I feel.
My brother is open and honest.  Who he chooses to love is his business.  This is how I feel.
My daughter is full figured and a big beautiful woman, the more to love.  This is how I feel.
My niece has 3 healthy, happy sons who bring joy and happiness to our whole family.   She continues taking college courses, takes care of her husband, her children and her house.  She astounds me with all she can do.  This is how I feel.
My mother-in-law raised 3 children who are wonderful, law abiding, God loving and faithful.  She deserves to be cared for. A mother can take care of 3 children and now it's time for those 3 children to take care of their 1 mother.  This is how I feel.

People who harbor the toxicity of bias', prejudices and oppression do a disservice to themselves.  Life is full of diversity and opportunities to live and learn through them.  I'm glad I'm open to the experience.