Early Childhood Education: Introduction
Standard Summary: Building Family and Community Relationships
Promoting diversity and improving the process of cross-cultural communication
In the environment of the 21st century, where diversity is one of the foundational principles of intercultural communication, it is essential to teach learners to be perceptive of other people’s cultures. Herein lies the significance of making sure that the learner is capable of communicating in the environment that can be characterized as very diverse (Seefeldt & Galper, 1990a).
However, exposing the learner to a variety of external factors, including the necessity to acquire an increasingly large amount of knowledge concerning other cultures and communication processes will put a considerable strain on the student. Therefore, it is imperative to make sure that family members should be able to assist the learner (NAEYC, 2010).
Significance of the Chosen Standard for My Personal and Professional Life
Personal life: receiving the support necessary for continuing personal growth
Understanding how the process of learning works and how it can be improved will help me develop the patterns that will promote further knowledge acquisition. Particularly, I will be able to learn more about teaching techniques and the needs of students.
Professional life: enhancing the students’ learning process by engaging family members
Emphasizing the importance of family members’ support for young learners is crucial to their progress as learners as well. Although the impact that the support of family members has on children’s performance is often underrated, it boosts the students’ confidence as learners and, therefore, creates prerequisites for their further progress, which is essential for me as an educator (Colker, 2008).
Questions About the Aspects of the Standard: What Needs to Be Clarified
Question 1
What tools can be used to enhance the significance of cross-cultural awareness among learners?
Rationale
The standard mentions the issue of diversity yet does not suggest how to address it.
Question 2
How can family members be encouraged to take part in the students’ learning process?
Rationale
Identification of engagement mechanisms will help improve the learning process and develop the perfect teaching strategies.
Question 3
What tools can be used to support and engage families and communities?
Rationale
The answer to this question will help use the knowledge about families and communities’ interaction to design efficient teaching strategies.
Question 4
What possible conflicts may emerge in case of a culture clash between community members?
Rationale
Learning about the possible threats will spur the identification of efficient preventing measures.
Question 5
How can diversity be promoted in a community?
Rationale
Locating the tools for diversity promotion will make the teaching process more efficient.
Purpose of the Assignment: Questions That Need Answers
The identification of the essential elements that the process of teaching young children must incorporate to be successful is the primary purpose of the assignment. Unless an educator is aware of the learners’ needs, the students will not be able to train the necessary skills and acquire the corresponding knowledge (Seefeldt & Galper, 1990b). Therefore, the outcomes of the assignment will lead to identifying the strategies for consistent improvement of the learning environment as well as the regular update of the teaching strategies adopted by the educator.
Reference List
Colker, L. J. (2008). Twelve characteristics of early childhood teachers. Beyond the journal. Young children on the web. Web.
NAEYC. (2010). 2010 Standards for initial early childhood professional preparation. Web.
Seefeldt, A., & Galper, C. (1990a). The early childhood education workforce. In Continuing issues in early childhood education (pp. 134-157). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Web.
Seefeldt, A., & Galper, C. (1990b). The professional development of teachers of young children. Continuing issues in early childhood education (pp. 158-183). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Web.