INSTRUCTIONS
Answers to the Discussion Questions and the Peer Posts should display substantial thought and preparation, including connections to course concepts.
The length of the initial responses for the Discussion Question(s) will be 300 or more words (due Thursday) and no less than 100-150 words for Peer Postings focused on the course concepts (due Sunday).
Reply to a minimum of two (2) initial posts
Discussion Questions and Peer Postings that are less than the required length will lose points even if submitted on time.
Discussion posts posted after the end of the week on Sunday will not be accepted without instructor approval.
It is highly recommended that responses to peer reflections occur over a minimum of two (2) days so thoughtful discourse and collaborative conversations are presented.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
Describe three techniques you have employed across two settings (Work, Class, Home) to demonstrate or facilitate awareness of oppressive systems that impact diverse and multicultural children and what could be done to mediate cultural conflicts.
“When immigrant children leave the country that was their home- a familiar language, culture, community, and social system- they experience a variety of emotional and cognitive adjustments to the reality of life in a new country.”
From the reading on immigrant children, identify four psychosocial risk factors of immigrant children. How could you address these difficulties facing immigrant children as an early childhood educator, non-profit program manager, or practitioner?
Reply Melissa
One technique I have used at work to demonstrate awareness of diverse and multicultural children is read books to the little boy I nanny that has different color children in the book. I point to the little girl of color and say girl and point to a white boy and say boy so he knows a boy and girl but also can see their skin color is different. He also has legos that we play with and there are little people and they are different skin colors. At first he stared at them but now it doesn’t even faze him. When we go to the park as well he plays with any kids that are there no matter their skin color. He is still little but I am introducing to him that we all look different and that is okay, so as he grows older and goes to school he will accept everyone for who they are. I also speak Spanish to him to incorporate different language to him.
psychosocial risk factors for immigrant children can vary depending on their individual experiences and circumstances. Some risk factors include language barriers, cultural adjustment, social exclusion and family separation. language barriers can cause many challenges in communicating effectively in their new environment. This can lead to frustration and isolation along with self esteem issues. Social exclusion can cause bullying and can lead to self esteem issues and feelings of alienation. cultural adjustment can cause stress and confusion in children and family separation can cause feelings of loss and anxiety.
What can be done to help immigrant children feel more comfortable and this can be addressed by offering language support such as English for a second language and bilingual materials. Involve families in the educational process and offering workshops to parents and support groups. Community service can help give counseling and other services needed to help them feel more welcomed and not alone. Providing a safe and healthy environment for the children so they can feel more at home and supported. By implementing these strategies Early Childhood Educators can help create a supportive environment that promotes a well being success for immigrant children.
Reply Daisy
The three techniques that I have employed both in my professional and personal life to facilitate awareness of oppressive systems for multicultural children are the ability to effectively communicate with individuals from different cultures. Listening to what people have to say, communicating clearly as well as truly understanding without making assumptions. I also believe that everyone benefits from attending and participating in trainings , educating ourselves and the community on cultural competency. As well as respecting what individuals around me have to share in regards to their culture, cultural background and differences.
In order to mediate cultural conflicts we can be aware of our own biases, continue being willing and open to learn about other cultures and find ways to effectively communicate. We can also acknowledge and celebrate diversity.
Four psychosocial risk factors of immigrant children that I can identify are
Trauma. As read in the books immigrant children experience trauma from leaving the country that was their home. They experience this trauma by leaving a safe, comforting environment and entering a whole new environment where nothing is familiar and they struggle with finding themselves and feeling that they belong. They also deal with emotional regulation, they are not able to control their emotional state due to the feelings of anger, anxiety, fear, sadness ,happiness and feeling overwhelmed.
These children also deal with Isolation.Low income, poverty and alien social and cultural practices stigmatize and isolate these children. They feel as thought their living conditions are unsafe and the miscommunication due to language many times pushes them to isolate themselves as well.
They acquire Stress. As mentioned in this weeks readings, the children stress because they are rushed into this new life style in which they are expected to play catch up with the rest of the students, they are mainstreamed into regular classes. They are placed among other immigrant students who share no common language and are to learn to read and write in English.
With all that is going on for these children they then experience resentment. I believe that these children grow resentment. They feel as if they can’t get the education they deserve, they don’t receive the same healthcare as others, and they also don’t have the accessibility to basic needs sometimes. As read in the book in some cases books were available, however they were books that these children could not read. They also had limited supplies to basic school tools , such as scissors, rulers and books. I believe that immigrant children knew or noticed the differences which could lead them to feel resentment.
I believe that as an early childhood educator I could address these difficulties by showing empathy, respect and patience for immigrant children. I can make them feel welcomed, and accepted by encouraging them to share about their culture and country. We can have a whole section in the curriculum in which we focus on learning something new about them. For example, food, traditions, clothing, upbringings, games, music, ext. We can be supportive, encouraging and motivating individuals for them to build a relationship and feel comfortable rather than isolated. We can provide extra support within the curriculum to help them learn the language as well as implementing their language and also work together with colleagues, organizations, the community and families in order to provide basic materials for these children.
