Children develop a sense of who they are and what is important through life through cultural experiences. Traditionally, the child's family and cultural community have been solely responsible for the transmission of values, expectations, and ways of doing things, especially during the early years of life. As more children enter child care during the tender years of infancy, their cultural identity and sense of belonging in their own families are influenced by their experience in care.
As you watch the video, consider...
- What is culturally responsive care for infants and toddlers?
- How do infant care teachers learn about a family's culture?
- How do infant care teachers provide culturally responsive care when their cultural background is different than those of the children?
- How do programs support each child's home language?
- How does self-awareness support culturally responsive care?