Incorporating Hispanic Culture in an Anti-Bias Classroom
Incorporating Hispanic Culture in an Anti-Bias Classroom
Nichole Spiller
ECE 405: Children & Families in a Diverse Society
Instructor: Lorianne Lammert-Arndt
Monday, April 16, 2012
The culture I chose to explore is the Hispanic culture. The term “Hispanic came from the United States federal government in the 1970’s to group a large but diverse population to connect the language and culture from a Spanish-speaking country. Hispanic is not a race but an ethnic classification (Understanding the Hispanic Culture, n.d.). The Hispanic culture has a wide ancestry which includes Spanish, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central and South American regions. Over the past thirty years the Hispanic population has had a tremendous rate of growth in the United States (Clutter, n.d.). The Hispanic culture is often misunderstood or misrepresented as having stressful financial issues or poor education. The important aspect of their culture that is being ignored is the importance of family values, which is a large part of a traditional Hispanic family. The environment of our classrooms can convey a message to children and families. The arrangement can affect children’s behaviors, attitudes, and learning. As early childhood educators we want to convey the message that we are a culturally relevant and anti-bias classroom. One way to convey this message is through bulletin boards and visual displays. Visual displays should match, reinforce, and expand the materials and learning that takes place in each of the interest areas (York, 2009). An example would be cultural works of art in the art center and pictures of different types of houses and environments in the block area. It is best to avoid cartoon figures or animals dressed in ethnic costumes. Photographs of children and their families would be appropriate. Another way to enhance culturally relevant learning is through the use of multicultural children’s books. Literature can be a
Nichole Spiller
ECE 405: Children & Families in a Diverse Society
Instructor: Lorianne Lammert-Arndt
Monday, April 16, 2012
The culture I chose to explore is the Hispanic culture. The term “Hispanic came from the United States federal government in the 1970’s to group a large but diverse population to connect the language and culture from a Spanish-speaking country. Hispanic is not a race but an ethnic classification (Understanding the Hispanic Culture, n.d.). The Hispanic culture has a wide ancestry which includes Spanish, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central and South American regions. Over the past thirty years the Hispanic population has had a tremendous rate of growth in the United States (Clutter, n.d.). The Hispanic culture is often misunderstood or misrepresented as having stressful financial issues or poor education. The important aspect of their culture that is being ignored is the importance of family values, which is a large part of a traditional Hispanic family. The environment of our classrooms can convey a message to children and families. The arrangement can affect children’s behaviors, attitudes, and learning. As early childhood educators we want to convey the message that we are a culturally relevant and anti-bias classroom. One way to convey this message is through bulletin boards and visual displays. Visual displays should match, reinforce, and expand the materials and learning that takes place in each of the interest areas (York, 2009). An example would be cultural works of art in the art center and pictures of different types of houses and environments in the block area. It is best to avoid cartoon figures or animals dressed in ethnic costumes. Photographs of children and their families would be appropriate. Another way to enhance culturally relevant learning is through the use of multicultural children’s books. Literature can be a
References: Clutter, A. a. (n.d.). Ohio State University Fact Sheet. Retrieved April 8, 2012, from The Ohio State University: Family and Consumer Sciences: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg- Understanding the Hispanic Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2012, from Understanding the Hispanic Culture: http://old.diocesephoenix.org Paley, V. G. (1992). You Can 't Say You Can 't Play. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England: Harvard University Press. York, S. (2009). Roots and Wings: Affirming Culture in Early Childhoos Programs. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.