Reflecting on own cultural identity
Part A
Question 1
Write down at least three significant events in own family background or history that have influenced cu
ent values, beliefs and attitudes.
Question 2
Explain how at least three aspects of the environment have influenced own cultural identity.
Question 3
What impact might your own background have on interactions and relationships with people from other cultures?
Question 4
List any skills, knowledge or attitudes you need to develop to ensure cultural competency.
Part B
Access the National Quality Standard from the ACECQA website or your organisation.
List the National Quality Standard (NQS) concepts and/or descriptors you believe support the development of cultural competence. Choose one and
iefly explain how this should be reflected in your practice.
Identifying and developing cultural competency
Question 1
Survey at least two people to find out more about their cultural identity. Create a questionnaire that addresses the following aspects of cultural identity:
· Values
· Beliefs
eligion/spirituality
· Language
· Cele
ations
· Family structure
The following are some sample questions to guide you:
· What languages do you speak at home?
· What are the key values you want your children to have?
· What aspects of your culture would you like your child to experience more of?
Question 2
As an educator, you must consider each child’s cultural identity to create a culturally competent environment. Looking at the outcomes of the survey you conducted, describe how values, beliefs
eligion/spirituality, language, cele
ations and family structure could be reflected in an organisation’s relationships, cu
iculum and activities.
Question 3
As an educator, you can help to develop the cultural competency of children and families. List at least six strategies that can be used to do this.
Researching Aboriginal and/or To
es Strait Islander communities
Research a historical issue in relation to Aboriginal and/or To
es Strait Islander peoples and the land your organisation is on, considering the contemporary impacts this has had on the local region (Darwin, Australia)
Write a one-page summary (about 450 words) of your findings. In your summary:
· Identify the traditional people and land owners of your local area, and who to contact or consult with.
· Identify any historical issues that have affected the Aboriginal and/or To
es Strait Islander peoples of your local area.
· Comment on how these issues still impact on cu
ent Aboriginal and/or To
es Strait Islander peoples and the community.
· Provide details of where you found the information.
It is recommended that you research your local government website and relevant State/te
itory or Commonwealth organisations that provide information on Aboriginal and/or To
es Strait Islander peoples.
Supporting individual cultural identities
Question 1
Identify and contact a local cultural group. Document the following:
· The name of the group
· The services they provide
· What the cultural group could contribute to the service
Question 2
The concept su
ounding NQS Element 6.2.3 is ‘Community engagement’. The descriptor states: ‘The service builds relationships and engages with its community’.
Describe an activity the cultural group could be involved in that would enhance the experience of cultural diversity among children and families.
Question 3
Read a confidentiality policy and procedure. How did the policy explain culturally sensitive information management?
Question 4
Describe three opportunities you could provide that would enable families to share their cultural diversity.
Question 5
Discuss three ideas for promoting language diversity in your organisation.
Supporting children’s cross-cultural understanding and relationships
Read the following case study, then answer the questions that follow.
Case study
Abi is from a dark-skinned African culture. He has recently joined your service and the other children are interested to find out more about where he is from and why he doesn’t understand English very well. To introduce Abi’s culture to the whole group, you need to plan an activity that will inform the group and help them all to understand some of Abi’s traditions. You want to focus on Abi’s uniqueness, yet link this to things the children already understand. In this way you will develop a respectful and inclusive activity.
Question 1
Describe an experience that would promote Abi’s uniqueness by exploring his culture, heritage, background and/or traditions.
Question 2
How would you link the experience you described with things the children already understood and promote understanding, cele
ate diversity and build constructive relationships?
Question 3
Identify one action of additional cultural support you think you may need to provide based on the scenario. Include a question the children might ask you about Abi, how you would respond and an activity you might include to help the children understand.
Implementing inclusive learning experiences
Element 1.1.2 of the NQS includes the concept ‘child-centred’ and the descriptor ‘Each child’s cu
ent knowledge, strengths, ideas, culture, abilities and interests are the foundation of the program’.
Describe an experience you could plan that supports this standard by focusing on the events, customs and beliefs of a child and their family.
Your description should include:
· any cultural characteristics of the family/child
· the event being cele
ated
· the beliefs that are connected to the event
· the cele
ations that are linked to the event
how this experience could be implemented
how you could use the experience to build on the children’s understanding of each other.
Supporting personal and cultural identity
For each of the following questions, provide an example of an experience, discussion, excursion/incursion or some involvement with the community. Use a different option and example for each one.
Question 1
Describe an experience that you could use to establish a secure, respectful and reciprocal relationship with children and their families. Include how you would set up the environment.
Question 2
Describe a discussion you could initiate with children that would help them work towards a strong sense of identity, wellbeing, and feeling of connectedness with and contribution to their world. Include the topic and at least three questions you would ask.
Question 3
Describe how you would encourage children to collaborate and solve problems together. Use the four steps of collaborative problem-solving.