Slide1: Welcome the Children Cultural Diversity Training for Early Childhood Professionals Working with Latin American Families Funding provided by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education Project Administered by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Partners for Inclusive Communities Content modified by Welcome the Children from original presentation developed by (n)site language services: Shay Lastra and Meredith Wells Evaluation and Video by University of Arkansas at Little Rock: Dr. Terry Richard, Dr. Carolyn Turturro, and Darlene Kurtz


Welcome: Welcome Introductions Review of Participants’ Manual Symbols on Screen (references) Group Names Review of Agenda (Ref # ) Handout #


Workshop Objectives: Workshop Objectives Help you to: Understand similarities and differences between typical American customs and those practiced by families from Latin American countries. Recognize your own cultural perspectives. Better understand Latin American culture.


Key Ideas: Key Ideas We all have cultural biases, believing our own culture to be the best. One culture is not better than another – just different. To communicate well, it is important to consider cultural differences.


Section I.Understanding Our Own Culture: Section I. Understanding Our Own Culture


What is Culture?: What is Culture? Culture is a way of life. It is a shared background of common customs, beliefs and values, communication styles and language. (Ref. 4, 8, 18, 45)


World Song Video: World Song Video


Culture: Culture Culture affects the way you 1. think 2. interact 3. communicate


Culture – The Iceberg Model: Culture – The Iceberg Model Just as only 10% of an iceberg is visible above water, only 10% of a group’s cultural characteristics are obvious or explicit. The remaining 90% are comprised of unspoken rules (like business etiquette) and unconscious rules (like non-verbal behavior).


Culture: Culture Culture affects parents: 1. survival 2. economics 3. behavior (Ref. 4, 7,45)


Our Way Is the Best Way: Our Way Is the Best Way When people believe that their culture’s way of living is superior to those of other cultures, it is called “Ethnocentrism.” We all think that our own way of achieving goals and living life is the best, most moral, and civilized way. (Ref. 5, 8, 45)


Family Rituals: Family Rituals Families began teaching us their patterns, their way of thinking and acting, the moment we were born. Rituals are traditions that families inherit or create from their personal beliefs. Provide identity and stability. (Ref. 6, 34, 35, 36, 37, 63) 1


Family Rituals and Traditions: Family Rituals and Traditions Describe your : Halloween activities Christmas - Hanukkah - Kwanzaa (Ref. 1, 7, 37,38, 59) 1


Contrasting Perspectives: Contrasting Perspectives


Contrasting Perspectives: Contrasting Perspectives 1. Did any of the feeding scenes bother you? If yes, which ones and why? 2. Did anything about the toileting scenes bother you? If yes, what and why? 3. Did anything else make you uncomfortable or offend you? (Ref. 7, 9, 27) 2


Contrasting Perspectives: Contrasting Perspectives 4. Did anything go against what you have been taught was appropriate for interacting with children? 5. Should a child get messy while learning or stay clean? Why? 6. Does a child learn more by listening and watching an activity or by doing an activity? (Ref. 7, 9, 27) 2


Independence vs Interdependence: Independence vs Interdependence Typically, American culture emphasizes and values independence. It is sometimes difficult to understand that some other cultures value interdependence more.


Benefits of Independence: Benefits of Independence Able to care for self earlier (dressing, eating, etc.) Taught to follow own dreams and achieve May be better prepared to handle own problems Taught that it is better to give than receive help Fosters leadership Encourages Self-Motivation


Benefits of Interdependence: Benefits of Interdependence Learns to trust and count on other people Stronger ties with culture and family May be more likely to receive support when needed Taught to give help to others as well as receive help Fosters team players Promotes closeness among family members


Cultural Relativity: Cultural Relativity Culture provides acceptable boundaries to fulfill basic activities. As noted with toilet training, eating, body language, etc., there is no right or wrong – no “superior” way of doing an activity. This concept is known as cultural relativity.


Slide21: Cultural Relativity Cultural relativity is the recognition that different cultures have their own definitions of the importance of time, beauty, health, etc. These variations in the way people behave have positive meanings for that specific group or society.


Slide22: When we recognize that there are many unique, colorful, AND functional ways of accomplishing activities in a society - -we avoid being ETHNOCENTRIC. Cultural Relativity


Cultural Filters: Cultural Filters “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as WE are.” (Anais Nin)


Cultural Perspectives and Values : Cultural Perspectives and Values Each culture has its own ideas about what is considered good, desirable, and important. A person cannot change his perspectives just because someone else tells him to change. A culture’s perspectives reflect how that culture views authority, body language, time, roles of men and women, education, and even child care practices. (Ref. 8, 25, 60, 63) 3


Section II.Understanding Latin American Culture: Section II. Understanding Latin American Culture


Generalizations vs. Stereotypes: Generalizations vs. Stereotypes Generalization (Descriptive) - Groups and tendencies - “Many American children leave home when they turn 18.” Stereotypical (Judgmental) - When ALL people act a certain way - “All American children leave home when they turn 18.” (Ref . 11, 58)


Generalization or Stereotype: Generalization or Stereotype 1. All American babies use pacifiers. 2. Most American child care providers are nurturing and loving people. 3. Latin American parents don’t volunteer because they don’t speak English. 4. Most Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving. 5. All Latinos are Catholic. 6. Most Hispanics celebrate Las Posadas. (Ref. 1)


CLINTON FAMILY TREE: CLINTON FAMILY TREE Hillary Rodham-Clinton William Jefferson Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham Chelsea Clinton


What’s in a Name? : What’s in a Name? Pedro José Santiago Lopez Luisa Maria Rodriguez Castillo (father) (mother’s maiden name) Luisa Maria Rodriguez de Santiago (mother’s name after marriage) José Antonio Santiago Rodriguez Maria Luz Santiago Rodriguez (son) (daughter) (Ref. 2, 3) (Ref 68)


Names : Names Pronunciation of names What is your name? ¿Cómo te llamas? My name is Mary. Me llamo Mary. (Ref. 1, 61)


Figuring Out Spanish Dates: Figuring Out Spanish Dates In the United States, the sequence for writing dates is to put the month first, the day second: 3/10/02 = March tenth, 2002 In Latin America, the sequence for writing dates is to put the day first, the month second: 3/10/02 = October third, 2002 (Ref 1) 4


What’s the Difference?: What’s the Difference? Hispanic - means someone whose native language is Spanish Latino - interchangeable with “Hispanic,” but generally is considered more “politically correct” Chicano - generally used in Texas and California for Mexican Americans who have been in the United States for 2 – 3 generations Latin American - Literally means “someone from Latin America” (Ref. 12, 13, 14, 15, 60) 5


Latin American Countries that Speak Spanish: Latin American Countries that Speak Spanish 6


Latin American Countries that Speak Spanish: Latin American Countries that Speak Spanish 6


Latin American Countries that Speak Spanish: Latin American Countries that Speak Spanish 6


Slide36: Where is Spain in relation to the Americas? 6


Differing Cultures Within Latin America: Differing Cultures Within Latin America  Latin American countries represented in Arkansas day cares and schools include: Argentina Mexico El Salvador Nicaragua Panama Honduras Peru Guatemala Cuba Dominican Republic Puerto Rico (US territory) Venezuela Uruguay Ecuador Chile Colombia (Ref. 16, 64, 65, 66)


Latin American Holidays: Latin American Holidays Compare Day of the Dead and Las Posadas rituals to general American rituals for holidays like Halloween and Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. (Ref. 1, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47 ) 8 and 9


Day Of The DeadDía de los Muertos : Day Of The Dead Día de los Muertos (Ref . 1, 41, 44, 45, 62, 68) 8 Photo of two altars designed for el día de los muertos (courtesy of Houston Institute for culture)


Day Of The DeadDía de los Muertos: Day Of The Dead Día de los Muertos (Ref. 1, 41, 44, 45, 62, 68) 8 Photo of a woman decorating the grave of a loved one. courtesy of Houston Institute for culture


Las Posadas: Las Posadas (Ref . 1, 42, 43, 62) 9


Las Posadas: Las Posadas (Ref . 1, 42, 43, 62) 9


Latin American Holidays: Latin American Holidays Compare Latin American holidays among Latin American countries. List 2 differences between Mexico and Guatemala on November 1 and 2. List 2 differences between Guatemala and El Salvador during Easter Holiday. (Ref . 1, 17,38 ) 10 and 11


Cultural Perspectives: Cultural Perspectives  Authority  Body Language  Time   Roles of Men and Women  Child Care Practices (Ref .1, 53, 59, 60, 63)


Latin American Values: Latin American Values Latin American cultures have different perceptions regarding: authority time body language roles of men and women child care practices (Ref. 1, 17, 19 – 24, 26 - 28, 53, 57, 59, 60, 63) 3


Authority: Authority Do you respect superiors just because of their title or do they have to earn your respect? Do you call the parents at your facility by their first name or last name? Do people at your center or school call you by your first name or last name? When you are upset with someone, are you direct or indirect about your feelings? (Ref. 1, 17, 19 – 24, 26 - 28, 53, 57, 59, 60, 63) 3


Body Language: Body Language 5. Do you touch acquaintances when you greet them? 6. Do you stand further than one foot away from a person when you talk to them? 7. When you talk with your superiors, do you have consistent and direct eye contact? (Ref. 1, 17, 19 – 24, 26 - 28, 53, 57, 59, 60, 63) 3


Time: Time Do you feel that you’re in control of your time or does your schedule generally control you? Are deadlines flexible - Is a deadline a true commitment or simply a goal? (Ref. 1, 17, 19 – 24, 26 - 28, 53, 57, 59, 60, 63) 3


Roles of Men and Women: Roles of Men and Women 10. Do you feel men and women should be treated equally? 11. Do girls have as much of a right to attend school as boys? 12. Assuming you are married, would your mother or mother-in-law make decisions for your household? (Ref. 1, 17, 19 – 24, 26 - 28, 53, 57, 59, 60, 63) 3


Child Care Practices: Child Care Practices Do most families that you know send their children to day-care centers or are the children kept by family members? Should children be on medication, such as over the counter or herbal remedies, even though they don’t have a prescription from a doctor? (Ref. 1, 9, 17, 19 – 24, 26 - 28, 53, 57, 59, 60, 63) 3


Common Hispanic FolkHealth Beliefs and Practices : Common Hispanic Folk Health Beliefs and Practices Folk remedies and beliefs are not unique to Latin American culture. Many Americans (especially if you look to your parents’ or grandparents’ generations) have similar beliefs or superstitions. Belief in folk healing must not be generalized to all Hispanic populations, or even to one Hispanic group. 12 (Ref. 27, 29, 54, 55, 56)


Section III.Communicating with Spanish-speaking Parents: Section III. Communicating with Spanish-speaking Parents


Good and Bad Conversations: Good and Bad Conversations Good Ways to Communicate using door openers and words of encouragement nodding, showing interest giving time and focusing Bad Ways to Communicate saying “always” or “never” blaming or threatening belittling concerns showing lack of interest (Ref . 11, 30, 39, 7, 40, 48, 49 )


Smith/Lopez Dialogue: Smith/Lopez Dialogue


 Smith and Lopez Dialogue:  Smith and Lopez Dialogue Video Groups: Think of 3 ways Miss Smith communicated well and 3 ways that she could communicate better. (Ref. 31) 13


Communicate by Reaching Out: Communicate by Reaching Out Reflect & Respect families’ language and culture. Use their proper names. Label items in the classroom in Spanish. Include the family in decisions. Have important information available. Learn basic Spanish vocabulary! (Ref. 4, 18, 27, 32, 48, 49, 50, 51,52. 53)


Summary of Workshop Objectives: Summary of Workshop Objectives Today, we have discussed: Similarities and differences between typical American customs and those practiced by families from Latin American countries. How to recognize our own cultural perspectives. How to better understand and reach out to families who have a Latin American cultural perspective.


Victor Video: Victor Video


 Victor:  Victor School expectations Language barriers Parental participation Parent / Teacher relationship Peer relationships Cultural sensitivity (Ref.1, 33)


Thank you!: Thank you! Post-Test, Evaluations, and Certificates (Ref. 67) This presentation was modified from the original presentation developed by (n)site language services For more information contact: www.nsitelanguageservices.net or email nsiteservices@aol.com