Family Diversity Essay

1150 Words3 Pages

Children are unique individuals with different desires and needs. They provide challenges for teachers to meet and conquer. Some of these many differences stem from the diversity of the students in the classroom. Ultimately, much of this diversity comes from the many special family situations in which students live. Cultural factors, prior experience with education, family structure, and socioeconomic factors all have effects on children’s education. In an increasingly diversified world, children bring a variety of cultural backgrounds to the classroom. Sometimes educators have preconceived ideas about cultures that can affect how they view students. For example, a recent article by Puchner and Markowitz (2015) examined the preconceived notion …show more content…

Parents who have had negative experiences in education may feel less inclined to be involved in their children’s education (Salend, 2015, pg. 178). LaRocque, Kleiman, and Darling (2011) identified parental involvement as a vital key in student success (pg. 117). If families feel uncomfortable because of prior discrimination or experiences with school, it can decrease parental involvement (Salend, 2015, pg. 178). In order to remedy these problems, schools can try a variety of solutions. Salend (2015) suggests inviting important extended family members to school events (pg. 178). This could help involve the patriarchs and matriarchs of the family and gain trust. Educators should try to address the elders first in order to show mutual respect. In addition to showing respect on a personal level, schools can gain trust by displaying respect in other ways. Making school facilities available for community activities makes the area seem more accessible and welcoming. It can also help parents build more positive experiences with the educational system and overcome the negative experiences. Furthermore, schools should decorate with various cultures in mind (Salend, 2015, pg. 178). Ultimately, if schools strive to create a more positive experience for families, they can better relate with one

More about Family Diversity Essay

Open Document