The Influence of Culture Opening the Cultural Door

Culture is like an iceberg Above the surface? Below the surface?

Culture is the values beliefslinguisticsexpression patterns of thinking styles of communication that shape our behaviors, expectations and reactions.

It goes beyond race and color to include ethnicity, physical characteristics and groups with similar values, experiences and orientations/preferences.

Everyone has culture

Culture creates our world-view What behaviors are appropriate What to fear How one’s messages are received and acted upon How successful one is at getting one’s needs met by others What emotions and intensity level one can safely display How interesting one is

Ethnocentrism… is the tendency to view ones own cultural group as the center of everything, the standard against which all others are judged. It assumes one's own cultural patterns are correct and the best ways of acting.

Becoming sensitive/responsive to other cultures Is an ongoing process Built on trusting relationships

In order to render culturally sensitive and appropriate care, it is necessary to identify how one’s own cultural background impacts on ways of seeing and behaving.

If caregiving is about developing partnerships with families, then we need to look at specific skills which will promote this partnership.

Keys to Culturally Sensitive Care

Uncover your cultural beliefs Culture starts with you Be aware of your own values/beliefs/biases and how they impact on others.

Be open to the perspective of others Acknowledge that your view is only one of many Be open to the way others see, do and understand things Be aware of your discomforts or sense of “right way” or “natural way” to view things when conflicts arise.

Seek out cultural and family information. Get information about family’s views, beliefs and values Listen openly, actively to others’ experiences and views Ask questions to understand

Clarify values Be willing to risk talking about differences Understanding comes through dialogue Keep focused on key issues and how these impact the child and family.

Make environments relevant Materials should reflect the children and their culture Photos of themselves, their families, their community Artwork, photographs, music, food and clothes do not by themselves create cultural continuity

Work toward representative staffing Look at “roles” of diverse staff Cultural representation at all levels of staff and management

Use the home language Communication in child’s home language supports child’s identification with family and culture In “English only” care, a child may reject home language Being understood is important to belonging All written info should be translated Interpreter should be available

Understanding the development of children’s racial identity, awareness and attitudes Especially if the children in our classroom are all (or mostly) white

Very young children: Notice racial distinctions Absorb racially related images and assumptions Begin to learn the power codes or “rules” of race internalize racial superiority

Even when the curriculum espouses explicit messages of respect and equality, when teachers and administrators are white, and support and maintenance staff are people of color, children learn about racial hierarchies.

Some themes from research on children and race

Young children are not colorblind Infants as young as six months old react consistently to racial differences. Young children do pay attention to messages of prejudice and power differences. Preschoolers begin using racial terms and beliefs to exclude and demean classmates of color

A child’s environment (family, community, media and peers) plays a critical role – positively or negatively. White children are more at risk than children of color for developing cross-race biases and aversions. (References found in your readings.)

Activity: Walkabout