components of human diversity.

[cassidy]

when working with children you see alot of different behaviors and attitudes, it is important to get to know every child and learn about the childs beliefs and background. learning about each child can help you learn the best ways to communicate to the child and what the best approach is to handing situations with them. you can learn alot about a child by just listening to them talk and watching how they handle and do things. you can tell what kind of house they are raised in and you often can learn alot about there family, the kids always seem to have something to say if you listen.

[Ruth]

Every child is different in the way that they see things, understand things, react to situations, etc. and this could be based on their culture, beliefs, the way they are being raised by their parents. So, getting to know each child is important, it can help you in being able to communicate with them, reach out to them and even help you help them to interact with others. Getting to know parents is as important as well. Kids are always eager to learn new things as well as sharing about themselves, you just need to stop and listen.

[Yulia Mostovoy]

How do the components of human diversity influence children's well-being, behavior, attitudes and growth?

I agree with Cassidy, I think when the care taker puts effort into learning about a child, they will learn a great deal about what their background is, the home they are raised in, and about your family dynamics. The components of human diversity influence children's growth in expanding their thinking and understanding of their surroundings; behavior and attitude is influenced by being in different situations, and I think it depends what they pick up on, good/or bad influences of others, and who is there to teach them to make a wise choice.

[jenaee]

How do the components of human diversity influence children's well-being, behavior, attitudes and growth?


i agree with Yulia, when the child can learn their surroundings it makes the child's behavior become more independent, it will expand their thinking and knowledge of what they know and what they think is right from wrong. As yuila said behavior and attitude is influenced by being in different situations but also different environment(s). From the child's knowledge of what's good or bad is taught at home; from that point that is how is the child is raised.Every child is different in the way that they see things, understand things, react to situations. and this could be based on their culture, beliefs, the way they are being raised by their parents. So, getting to know each child is important, it can help you in being able to communicate with them, reach out to them and even help you help them to interact with others. Getting to know parents is as important as well. Kids are always eager to learn new things as well as sharing about themselves, you just need to stop and listen.
Never be afraid of asking questions to get a better understanding of the child or parents.

[Alton Earle]

This handout is far better than the previous one, in my view. It really gets to some of the complexity of identity. The question of "How do the components of human diversity influence children's well-being, behavior, attitudes and growth?" is an easy one to answer: "In every way." A child who is not a member of the dominant group may not have his/her needs/views respected, understood, and fulfilled. Different cultural groups have different standards of behavior, and thus members of other cultural groups may "judge" a child'd behavior based on different standards. Children with disabilities may not have the capability to engage in certain behaviors (I'm thinking AD/HD here). Disabilities and differing classes, cultural self-identity, and many other things affect attitudes among the children and families, and also affect growth in the children.

It is critical that teachers and administrators work hard to really get beyond surfaces to the core of each child's self-identity (even if they are too young to realize they have one). A good example are our students, who are predominately Taiwanese/Chinese or mixed European/American and Taiwanese/Chinese. By mixing teaching styles from both cultures, we manage to help each child grow. However, we are small (40 students total), which is an advantage :-).

[Shae]

Human diversity really influences children whether they know it or not, because children notice differences. They notice when they are the only children that know certain languages, or practice certain beliefs and sometimes that makes them feel like the odd one out. Sometimes these differences if not celebrated will leave the children thinking they are different in a bad way and that they need to change to fit the typical norm at their school, day care, or community when in reality we should be celebrating these differences and encouraging them to share them with us.