In New Zealand early childhood education services are becoming more culturally diverse, with the increase of children and families from other countries. It is up to the teachers in early childhood centres to provide the support these families need. Therefore, this essay will discuss some strategies early childhood teachers could use to support children and families from diverse cultures. It will briefly focus on how a teacher’s attitude and beliefs influence their relationship with children and families.
One strategy teachers could use to support children and families from diverse cultures is through the inclusion of each family’s culture being displayed throughout the centres learning environment. This can be done by creating a welcoming …show more content…
Giving parents the opportunity to share their culture and language with the teachers and other children through storytelling and songs. Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2001) suggest that since early childhood programs have increased multicultural and bilingually, teachers need to help children feel connected to their families outside of the home setting. For example, the program could have a cultural day where all children and families dress up in their cultures traditional clothing and bring a traditional food dish to share. Therefore, this could help children learn to respect other culture and help support positive attitudes. Providing continual support of other languages is important in helping children and families when they first begin at the centre (Geritty, 2003). Teachers need to continue to support and understand these culture, even if some of the values and beliefs conflict with their …show more content…
Teachers need to efficiently communicate with the children’s family to help learn about their culture. Since both the family and teachers need to be able to communicate their knowledge and be respectful towards each other, and both learn to work together to provide children with education that is successful for their learning Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2001). The teachers need to develop both verbal and nonverbal communication with the families. Ramsey (2004) stars “effective communication requires paying close attention to what others are saying both verbally ad nonverbally and genuinely trying to see and understand their perspectives” (p56). For example, having a wall with basic conversations in both English and other languages is one way to help communicate with families who have limited bilingual. Also, teachers could reach out to the community around the centre, to find a person to help interpret conversations. Having poor communication between each other can have a negative effect on the relationships with children and their families from diverse
One strategy teachers could use to support children and families from diverse cultures is through the inclusion of each family’s culture being displayed throughout the centres learning environment. This can be done by creating a welcoming …show more content…
Giving parents the opportunity to share their culture and language with the teachers and other children through storytelling and songs. Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2001) suggest that since early childhood programs have increased multicultural and bilingually, teachers need to help children feel connected to their families outside of the home setting. For example, the program could have a cultural day where all children and families dress up in their cultures traditional clothing and bring a traditional food dish to share. Therefore, this could help children learn to respect other culture and help support positive attitudes. Providing continual support of other languages is important in helping children and families when they first begin at the centre (Geritty, 2003). Teachers need to continue to support and understand these culture, even if some of the values and beliefs conflict with their …show more content…
Teachers need to efficiently communicate with the children’s family to help learn about their culture. Since both the family and teachers need to be able to communicate their knowledge and be respectful towards each other, and both learn to work together to provide children with education that is successful for their learning Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2001). The teachers need to develop both verbal and nonverbal communication with the families. Ramsey (2004) stars “effective communication requires paying close attention to what others are saying both verbally ad nonverbally and genuinely trying to see and understand their perspectives” (p56). For example, having a wall with basic conversations in both English and other languages is one way to help communicate with families who have limited bilingual. Also, teachers could reach out to the community around the centre, to find a person to help interpret conversations. Having poor communication between each other can have a negative effect on the relationships with children and their families from diverse