HD 412: Working with Children and Families in a Diverse World

Core Class Reflection

In this course we focused on the psychosocial needs of children and their families, paying
close attention to cultural traditions, beliefs and values as well as observing varying family
structures. Through the teachings of HD 412: Working with Children and Families in a Diverse
World, I realized that I too often overlook the familys needs and focus solely on the child. I was
excited to learn more than just about the child, and to connect family dynamics to the overall
development of children. Though I have had knowledge of Urie Bronfenbrenners Ecological
Systems theory, my previous knowledge was minimal. During the course of the semester, I
began to truly understand his theory to explain how everything and everyone affects the
development of a child and how each system is affected by the next.
With assignments such as creating a Persona Doll, I reflected on my personal lifespan and
analyzed various dynamics that have played significant roles in shaping who I have become.
Through written journals and weekly canvas discussions I was able to see how my personal
identity unfolded, and shaped who I am.
Supported with readings from Lisa Delpits Other Peoples Children- Cultural Conflict in
the Classroom, I began to reflect on my own growing up. As I made real life connections to her
writings I couldnt help but to agree with her views about the power institutions have over the
education of our youth. Reading Delpit, I broadened my understanding of the Five Aspects of
the Culture of Power.
As a brown minority, a first generation immigrant, a child who learned English as a
second language and a child who created her own culture (a third culture), I aim to think that my

beliefs and practices as an early childhood educator are in accordance to the practices and
techniques proposed by my Professor Dr. Christine Wilson, and described throughout the text A
World of Difference. I strongly agree that facilitators should possess a special set of skills as
defined by Delpit as understanding the cultural nuances that each child possesses collectively
and independently.
Within the signature assignments, I had the opportunity to make two descriptive inquiry
process observations of children in distinct settings and deeply analyze their developmental
processes. Reaching the conclusion of these two observations reinforced the idea that every
child is different, especially when it comes to the milestones each acquires. While observing
children engaged in parallel, associative, and solitary play, I learned that play has physical,
cognitive and psychosocial benefits, and that changes in the types of play children engage in
reflect cognitive, social and physical development. Children are learning from new experiences
every day, and we as parents and facilitators need to read between the lines on what children are
trying to tell us. I once again witnessed the importance of secure attachment in a childs life. It
is the foundation for risk taking, discovering, and self-esteem. Ive become even more
convinced that every moment is a teachable moment in a childs life. Their fast forming brain is
pruning away and making significant synapses that will mold the person he/she will be.
Moreover nature and nurture go hand in hand. Without a nurturing atmosphere, a child cannot
grow socially, physically, intellectually, creatively, culturally and emotionally.
As the semester continued, I had the grand opportunity of working with several
classmates on creating a multicultural curriculum. The purpose of this assignment was to
propose and present a curriculum with true gender inclusivity. Breaking traditional gender roles
in the environment of the classroom allows for the emergence of a gender free curriculum.

Factors that were included throughout the curriculum proposal were: identity, biases, social
justice, and very importantly parent communication. I had an amazing experience preparing this
assignment. It not only solidified my understanding of the topics covered, but it allowed me to
learn so much from my peers. Each of my classmates had valuable input supporting and
implementing a curriculum that challenges the prescribed societal gender norms and begins to
minimize the existing gender gap.
It is true that the learning institutions play a big role in the education of our youth, but we
as educators must utilize culturally and developmentally appropriate practices. To better serve
the children in the community of our classrooms we must adopt and adapt to multiple
intelligences, thus becoming true advocates for learning. In order to assist in the development of
a child, we must also be mindful how to address the needs of the families we serve.