Cultural Diversity and Communication Strategies

Teaching a very diverse population of children and working with diverse families, I realize the significance of communicating effectively with all children and families.  To ensure that I communicate effectively with children and families with value and honor, I feel that Gonzalez-Mena's (2010) strategies for communicating and working with diverse families will be beneficial. 

First, it is important to recognize and acknowledge that each child / family has their own reality is crucial to effectively communicate with diverse children and families.  Gaining a deeper understanding of the children and families you communicate and interact with allows you to be culturally responsive.  It is also important to be conscience of how individualistic and interdependent patterns of meaning differ.  Being conscience of patterns of meaning will allow you to understand what they are doing through their eyes.  It is just as important to not be judgmental or make assumptions about children and families.  Children and families have their own reasons why they do the things they do.  As an early childhood professional, I feel that is critical for the health, well-being, and development of young children and families to appreciate, value, and honor each child and family for who they are by understanding and perceiving things as they do. 

References

Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2010). 50 strategies for communicating and working with diverse families.  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.