Family Partnerships and Culture - Child Development (CA ...

BEST PRACTICES FOR PLANNING CURRICULUM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

and

California Department of Education

Sacramento, 2016

Publishing Information

Family Partnerships and Culture was developed by the Early Education and Support Division, California Department of Education. This publication was edited by Faye Ong, working in cooperation with Laura Bridges, Child Development Consultant. It was designed and prepared for online posting by the staff of CDE Press, with the cover designed by Tuyet Truong. It was published by the Department of Education, 1430 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. It was distributed under the provisions of the Library Distribution Act and Government Code Section 11096.

ISBN 978-0-8011-1758-9 ? 2016 by the California Department of Education All rights reserved.

CDE Publications and Educational Resources

For information about publications and educational resources available from the California Department of Education (CDE), visit or call the CDE Press sales office at 1-800-995-4099.

Reproduction of this document for resale, in whole or in part, is not authorized.

Notice

The guidance in Family Partnerships and Culture is not binding on local educational agencies or other entities. Except for the statutes, regulations, and court decisions that are referenced herein, the document is exemplary, and compliance with it is not mandatory. (See Education Code Section 33308.5.)

CONTENTS

A Message from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction .....................................................................v Acknowledgments.......................................................................vi Foreword.......................................................................................x Introduction ..................................................................................1 Part I. Guiding Principles for Developing Cultural Competence ................................................5

Cognitive Cultural Competence ................................................. 6 Affective Cultural Competence.................................................. 9 Cultural Responsiveness .......................................................... 10 NAEYC Cultural Competence Project .......................................17 Part II. Understanding Culture ...................................................19 Definition of Culture ................................................................. 20 Why an Understanding of Culture Is Important ....................... 22 Distinguishing Between Ethnicity and Culture......................... 25 Learning About Cultures .......................................................... 27 Exploring Dimensions of Culture.............................................. 30 Collectivist Versus Individualist Cultures ................................. 39 Myths About Cultures .............................................................. 42 Support Development of the Home Language .........................47 Part III. Understanding Contemporary Families and Households ..........................................................................52 Family Composition.................................................................. 55 Culturally Based Family Strengths ...........................................61

iii Contents |

Family Strains ........................................................................... 63 Impact of Family Stress............................................................ 72 Part IV. Culture, Family Life, and the Early Childhood Curricula ....................................................75 Implications of Cultural and Family Experiences for Teaching and Learning.............................................................. 78 Curriculum Frameworks........................................................... 79 Conclusion................................................................................ 95 Appendix: Questions to Expand Understanding of Families ....99 Glossary ....................................................................................106 References ................................................................................108 Additional Resources and References..................................... 114

iv | Family Partnerships and Culture

A Message from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction

I am pleased to present Family Partnerships and Culture, a publication providing early childhood education program administrators and teachers with guidance on practices that support the development of partnerships with families and inclusion of children's cultural experiences as essential parts of planning curriculum. Families can be invaluable partners in early childhood programs' efforts to enhance early learning and prepare children for school. Because the family's approach to guiding early development is influenced by adult family members' culture or cultures, a key aspect of developing partnerships with families is to be responsive to their cultures. This publication promotes understanding of children's cultural or multicultural experiences at home and helps teachers use those experiences as building blocks for teaching and learning in early education settings. It complements the resources of the California Department of Education's Early Learning and Development System, particularly the California Infant/Toddler Curriculum Framework and the California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volumes One, Two, and Three.

Family Partnerships and Culture draws upon both current research and evidence-based practice. This publication offers a comprehensive view of how to include family and culture in curriculum planning. Developing effective partnerships with families involves building on family and cultural strengths and being supportive of families as they try to manage stress in their daily lives. The vision of family members, teachers, and program directors working together to enhance young children's learning holds great promise. Partnerships that recognize family strengths and create a context for supporting families will augment other best practices in early education programs. The result is high-quality early learning experiences that contribute to children's well-being and successful development.

Tom Torlakson State Superintendent of Public Instruction

v A Message |

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