The American population is drastically changing over time. The census predicts that by around 2020, “more than half of the nation 's children are expected to be part of a minority race or ethnic group," Minorities will eventually be the majority! (Chappel, 2015). Since the United States is consider the world’s most culturally diverse country, the schools have transitioned to a highly diverse population of students. Thus, the education system has an important task to undertake; they must ensure that the early childhood educators are culturally competent; to embrace a culturally diverse program, and practices in which the new generation of students can greatly benefit from.
So, why is multicultural education so important in today’s society?
…show more content…
There is an interconnection between Culturally Relevant Methods, Anti-Bias Curriculum, Diverse Family Structures, and Multicultural education that constructs cultural competence. Multicultural education can be taught to the students by developing a culturally relevant methods, Anti-Bias Curriculum, and Diverse Family Structures.
Teacher’s priority is to develop culturally relevant methods, where they will have the opportunity to learn about the student’s family’s background, culture, religion, priorities etc. Educators can build a strong relationship with the student, and their families; while promoting parent involvement in the classroom; in order for the parents to witness their children’s academic progress in a multicultural classroom. The students will feel welcomed, and accepted and be prone to a positive academic
…show more content…
The Anti-bias curriculum is design to express diversity in the early childhood classroom. Educators can teach multicultural education, by providing multicultural posters around the classroom, as well as books, music, toys, and activities which encourages the children to explore different cultures. The Anti-bias curriculum not only promote multicultural education, but it also provides the students the opportunity to explore concrete interactive experiences with students from different cultures (Tarman, 2011).
Last, is Diverse family structure; it is another important component linked to multicultural education. If educators want to promote multicultural education in their classroom, they must keep in mind the difference between all the families. Each student comes from families who acquire different religion, culture, beliefs etc.; therefore, teachers must be understanding of each family’s needs, in order to promote multicultural education. It is imperative to develop a stable, environment for the student; where school would be known as their second home (Curenton,
Robles de Melendez, W. (2010). Teaching Young Children in Multicultural Classrooms: Issues, Concepts, and Strategies (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
The article, “Diversity in Early Childhood Education,” by Francis Wardle, was enlightening on how early childhood educators need to build a homogenous classroom environment that resembles the family and the community that children reside in. Educators and administrators need to evaluate the classroom environment to incorporate diversity in the classroom so, that young children can feel socially competent about their culture. It is essential for educators to assist young children to gain knowledge through classroom experiences an additionally by exploring their community to build tolerance of individual differences nonetheless we can all be friends. Early childhood development centers as well need to incorporate family involvement that will
Convertino, C., Levinson, B. A., & González, N. (2013). Culture, teaching, and learning. In J. A. Banks & C. M. McGee Banks (Eds.). Multicultural Education: Issues and Perspectives (pp. 25-41). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
There are four approaches to education: assimilation, multicultural, intercultural, and anti-bias. This assignment will attempt to critically compare the two of four, the multicultural and anti-bias approaches. Then, it will look at how the research on diversity issues and children’s funds of knowledge influence how we address diversity in Early Years settings.
Multicultural education is any form of education that incorporates the values, histories, beliefs, perspectives, and texts of students from different cultural backgrounds (Banks, 2009). The cultural differences between people include race, nationality, ethnicity, language, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, and exceptional of persons with disabilities or special needs. Multicultural education aim is to foster unity within the diverse learning institutions.
As an educator one must understand that the children you will be teaching will all come from different backgrounds, different ethnicities, different homes with different values. No one student will be the same, and no one student will learn the same. The role of a modern educator is to harness this idea of diversity and channel it into a positive learning atmosphere for children of all backgrounds. “I define culturally responsive teaching as using the cultural knowledge, prior experiences, frames of reference, and performance styles of ethnically diverse students to make learning encounters more relevant to and effective for them” (Gay, 2013, p.50.). The hope for all teachers is to capture the minds of their children, as educators we must learn how our students learn, adapt to their skill set and channel our curriculum to their strength.
Perhaps the most meaningful way to come to grips with the rather expansive scope of approaches and practices that make up the notion of “multicultural education” is to consider some of the various reasons that educators incorporate those approaches into their classrooms. While we will save the most important motivation—increasing instructional effectiveness—for last, here we will briefly review some of other the reasons that teachers incorporate multicultural education into their
The world is made up of many different types of people, each one having his or her cultural background. Over the years, the United States has become increasingly populated with cultural diversity. This influx has prompted school administrators to recognize the need to incorporate multicultural programs into their school environment including classroom settings, school wide activities, and curriculum as it becomes more evident that the benefits of teaching cultural diversity within the school setting will positively influence our communities, and ultimately the entire nation’s future. The purpose of this paper is to share the pros and cons of multicultural education in the classroom. Additionally, I will express my views compared to those in the reading requirements for this assignment, as well as, new knowledge obtained through the research. Finally, I will share situations where I was challenged introducing a multicultural issue during a class.
Students who are enrolled in elementary schools with a diverse population usually develop an understanding of insights and perspectives of children from different backgrounds and learn to function in a multiethnic, multicultural environment (Morrissey, 2014). Therefore, students need to learn how to interact in diverse environments. Teachers face challenges of making lessons and instructions “culturally responsive” for all students to avoid favoritism (Griner, 2012). Some students’ cultural backgrounds may have a negative impact on them in a modern classroom (Burt, 2013). It is imperative for elementary school teachers to be knowledgeable of different cultural beliefs and practices to help students adjust to traditional classrooms (Nigma, 2015). Defining the
Teachers must understand the culture of their students. Being able to understand the cultural differences will help to make a connection of what is being taught. “Helping learners make the link between their culture and the new knowledge and skills they encounter inside school is at the heart of ensuring that all students achieve at high levels” (National Education Association, 2011). Helping our children understand their culture helps them to learn about their roles in the world. Educators are suppose to work with their students to culturally develop their student in a very diverse world. Knowing where they com from and having a solid understanding of their culture will prepare them to be responsible, proud individuals. Its important for teachers and administrators to be culturally diverse so that they are able to connect with their students. When students can make a genuine connection with their teacher, they feel a sense of belonging and they feel that some one cares about them as a person not just a student. Having that sense of feeling that they matter will motivate them to do their best at all
Another experience which I have learned about in my educational career is the importance of multicultural education. “Multicultural education advocates the belief that students a...
America is often called a melting pot; the metaphor is used because our society is made of different types of people that are blended together in our community. Educators need to familiarize themselves with the perspectives of numerous cultural groups. In early childhood, teachers have practice the anti-bias education concept. Anti-bias education includes learning experiences and teaching strategies that are specifically designed not only to prepare all children for life in a culturally rich society, but also to counter the stereotyping of diverse groups, and to guard against expressions of bias (Derman-Sparks & Edward, 2010). After observing a classroom, the first multicultural items I noticed was the circle time rug. It had a world in the middle with children from all over the world holding
There are many factors that play a role in the learning process for every human being. Race, religion, language, socioeconomics, gender, family structure, and disabilities can all affect the ways in which we learn. Educators must take special measures in the delivery of classroom instruction to celebrate the learning and cultural differences of each of their students. As communities and schools continue to grow in diversity, teachers are searching for effective educational programs to accommodate the various learning styles of each student while promoting acceptance of cultural differences throughout the classroom. It no longer suffices to plan educational experiences only for middle-or upper class white learners and then expect students of other social classes and cultures to change perspectives on motivation and competition, learning styles, and attitudes and values that their homes and families have instilled in them (Manning & Baruth, 2009).
The world is currently undergoing a cultural change, and we live in an increasingly diverse society. This change is not only affect the people in the community but also affect the way education is viewed. Teaching diversity in the classroom and focusing multicultural activities in the programs can help improve positive social behavior in children. There is no question that the education must be prepared to embrace the diversity and to teach an increasingly diverse population of young children.
According to Bennett (2015), “Multicultural Education is a complex approach to teaching and learning that includes the movement toward equity in schools and classrooms, the transformation of the curriculum, the process of becoming multicultural competent, and the commitment to address societal injustice” (p. 2). Teaching and learning in a multicultural system is designed around collaborative decision making, respect for all parties, and nurturing a cultural diverse society. Multicultural education recognizes and integrates cultural characteristics into the learning environment.