Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This week I asked several friends and colleagues about their idea of culture and diversity; these are the responses I received:

“Cultural example might mean that I serve fish every Friday, or a music fest involving parents. Or having children in posters from different cultures around the world. Diversity means I might want to have a lesson on all the differences with people. Different eye color, skin color, parental systems....etc.”

“Culture: the socio-political context of a particular place at a particular time. Diversity: recognition of the differences within an established group or place.”

“Diversity... acknowledging the differences we all have. Culture... a group of people with similar beliefs. For example...teaching culture or school culture or religious culture...”

As you can see there are several variations on each words meaning. Cultural and diversity is very personal to each person and family.  No matter the definition, its understanding at that language level hangs on a continuum. Some view culture and diversity on a broad scale and think of it as everything we see, say and do. Why others hold it a little narrower and look at it from the perspective of a single family unit. In either case, it is important to understand that children will notice these differences and sameness’s and pretending they do not exist, is not best practice. In order for children to learn acceptance and tolerance we must expose them to their world in a safe, caring and engaging manner, be there to answer their questions and most importantly we must be that positive role model.

My Family Culture

This week’s blog assignment (MISSION) should I choose to accept it…[mission impossible theme plays in the background]…

Imagine the following:

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

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What if’s are always a hard game for me to play, as a person who is already over analytical, it is a never ending process of over thinking, and re-over thinking. After an hour of “deep thoughts”, I can only think of one thing I would want to take with me, besides my family.  The only thing I think I would miss of my physical possessions is my family’s photos. I would also need my pets. Other than that if I have my family that’s really all I need.

My pets are like family, and the family photos would help me keep my memories, and allows me to share those memories with future generations. I can’t really tell you which one of those items is really more important than the other, and I would be deeply saddened if I had to choose just one. 

Throughout the history of the United States, this has probably happened more often than could be documented.  So many families show up with hopes of freedom and opportunity and meet resistance, misunderstanding, and an unwillingness of the “native culture” to learn about the culture that the individual brings with them.

 It would be extremely hard if not impossible, for me to come to a strange country, be expected to practice new roles, learn a new language, and even wear clothing that I wasn’t used to, trying to fit in. I am pretty set in my ways, I don’t honestly know if I could start over with nothing!

Reseach that Benefits Children and Families...Uplifting Stories

 

Many positives have come of research on children and families.  We have spent many years and dollars learning about every aspect of human development. One very positive I can think of up front is the research we have done on understanding developmental disabilities.  In times past if a child was born with a disability, they may have been institutionalized, left to their own devises or abused by unknowing or uneducated caregivers.  We have spent years learning about disabilities and genetic anomalies like Downs Syndrome and the Autism Spectrum Disorders. Because of that research, children with these disorders and syndromes can be connected with early intervention programs and continuing education that teaches them skills that could lead to living an independent and successful life.

Over the years there have been numerous studies done that have improved the quality of life for the human condition.  I imagine it is through this continued research that we will continue to grow and change and continue to make important discoveries that will change how we understand human development.

EDUC-6163~My Research Journey

This semester we are engaging in a research simulation, which means we will be creating a “mock” research study to become familiar with the process and all that is related to conducting field research in the Early Childhood realm. The domain of research for this simulation falls into social and emotional development and relates to attachment.  Some subtopics of interest are:

1.      How are healthy attachment made in the early years?

2.      What are the types of attachments that children can have, and what implications do they have for measuring success or failure in building relationships with others, and becoming resilient?

3.       In what ways can parents, teachers and practitioners help children repair less than desirable attachments and what are those less than desirable attachments?

This is important to me as an Aunt of two boys who have attachment disorders/difficulties. I currently have custody of my two nephews; they have been with my mother and me for three years.  We have been working through these difficulties ever since.  We have had some behavioral problems at school, both boys are being medicated at this time for ADHD/Bi-Polar, and we are seeking outside help from a psychologist or therapist to work on getting through these difficult times.

As a professional I can use the information to help with children and families in my child care program, I can also use this new knowledge to serve as an advocate for better mental health and early childhood services for at risk children. The third way I can use this information is to create trainings for early childhood teachers, staff and administrators on the importance of building secure relationships with the children they serve.