This is a great discussion, and there are many answers that come to mind for most of us, based on our own past experience. I want to expand and go beyond what we normally do. I want to talk about some information I have learned from a couple of books that shed new light on this topic.
Both books discusses the term "
Cultural Responsiveness", which I think is a great term. Lynch and Hanson (1998) define cultural responsiveness as "ways of thinking and behaving that enables members of one cultural, ethnic, or linguistic group to work effectively with members of another" (Lynch & Hanson, 1998, p. 492). To be culturally responsive, we need to not only become knowledgeable about people's culture; we need to learn how to interact with them and work together. Also, to be truly culturally responsive, we need to realize that race and ethnicity are only two ways we are culturally different. "Culture" also includes educational background, socioeconomic status, language, sexual orientation, political beliefs, and religious beliefs. Most people think of the go-to response of having a culture day with foods and dressing up from other countries. Whereas there is not anything wrong with this, it is only one way of being culturally responsive. There are even differences 'within' cultural groups as well as between them, so we cannot make assumptions about a particular person's culture based on what we have learned from an internet search or what someone has told us. Each person may practice their culture differently. Rather than make assumptions or even try to learn from a google search about a particular culture, it is better to learn by asking the person directly. Ask respectfully what they believe about certain issues. Ask sincere questions with openness and desiring to learn. If you do this, most people are glad to share information and talk about their culture and how they practice it (Hearron and Hildebrand, 2014). Doing it this way you are more inclusive of that person. I've seen situations where people make assumptions about a person's culture, and instead of helping that person feel welcomed, they have offended them instead.
I want to get people's thoughts on this expansion of the term "culture" by using the term: "cultural responsiveness."
Hearron, P. F. & Hildebrand, V. (2015). Management of child development centers (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Lynch, E. W., & Hanson, M. J. (1998). Discussing cross-cultural competence: A guide for working with children and their families. Baltimore, MD: Brooks Publishing
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DeAnn Jones
Co-Facilitator for the Family Child Care Interest Forum
Discovery Place Child Care, LLC
Bozeman, MT
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-12-2019 11:39 AM
From: Temesha Ragan
Subject: Diversity and Family Child Care
What are some ways you ensure that you are creating an environment that includes diversity even if you do not have diverse enrolled children?
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Temesha (Ms. Tessie) Ragan
Family Child Care IF Facilitator
Perfect Start Learning
Family Child Care Provider
Edwards, CA
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