After finishing this course I feel like I am more prepared for working with diverse families. I want to have the opportunity to grow and learn as an early childhood professional through working with families and children of different backgrounds than my own. I hope that families see me as a comforting person in their children's life. I hope they also can come to me with concerns and see me as someone who is there for them, and not just doing my job but actually taking an interest in their life.

                          I hope that in the future early childcare industries train their staff to work with diversity. I think one of the things we are lacking in most of our facilities is the lack of training in diversity, equity and social justice. I think by improving this area we will improve the quality in our centers.

                         I want to thank everyone who has read my blog and left comments. I also want to thank everyone for allowing me to be a part of your life and read your blogs. I learned so much about everyone through these personal blog assignments. Thank you and good luck in your future courses! 

The name of “your” family’s country of origin

At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

I just recently received a child whose family originates from Russia. The child knows little to no English, and Russian is their first language. I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family by having a translator with me in case the family and I have trouble communicating. I will also take the time to learn what part of Russia they are from, and ask them to give me some information on their family in relation to favorite foods and activities. I will also take the time to label my classroom in both Russian and English, to help the child transition better. I hope that by being prepared it will help me form a bond with the child and the parents. I think the most important thing is having a good bond with the family and let them know that you are truly interested in their culture. I hope that by asking about their favorite foods, and activities that it will help lighten up the atmosphere and create some common interests to discuss.

The Help

Well I am in the middle of reading a great book, so I am going to take this opportunity to talk about it. I am reading The  Help, and if I didn't know about prejudice before I sure do now. This book shows what it was like to be a African American maid in the 1960's, right in the heart of it all, Mississippi. The civil rights movement is also going on doing this time. One of the most prejudice moments in the book is over having a separate bathroom outside for the maids to use. This is a big controversy in the book because some think it is the right thing to do (because they believed that African Americans carried diseases), others thought it was wrong. I have learned through reading this book, that not to long ago, we were cruel evil people who are human, just like everyone else.  Back when I was an undergrad I took a class that was dedicated to the civil rights movement, one of the best classes I have ever taken. I was one of the only white students in the class, but I felt empowered by the class and so did many of the other students. Some days we were angry, others we were sad, and then there were the days where we thought justice was finally on its way.


If anyone is looking for a good read, I do highly recommend The Help! Once you open it, it is hard to put down.