Changing Demographics and Diversity-Connections between Theory and Practice

Description

In the article “Beyond the Illusion of Diversity: How Early Childhood Teachers Can Promote Social Justice,” Boutte speaks of the need for early childhood professionals to apply pedagogical principles and classroom practices that more explicitly cultivate inclusive practices. She states that these efforts promote social justice, and passionately advocates that early childhood professionals should be provided with, and seek out, opportunities and resources that support their interactions with children and families from diverse backgrounds. As well, Boutte points out that any major issue or trend, for example, changing demographics and diversity, usually consists of a number of smaller, related issues. Understanding these different but related issues increases a person’s ability to interact with others in a respectful, caring, and authentic manner and serve as agent for positive social change.

As you might already know, achieving professional “fluency” about the complexity of issues and trends is a lifelong process. With the help of this assignment, you can take a step toward such fluency with regard to changing demographics and diversity. First, you will be asked to learn about a specific issue by reading about it; then extend your knowledge by talking to someone who has experience with this issue; and finally, reflect on what you have learned about the selected issue and how the issue presents opportunities for positive social change.

Consider some of the many specific issues related to changing demographics and diversity listed below. This list is by far not complete. Feel free to add other related issues to it.

Immigration

Providing quality education experiences for children of migrant families

Cultural diversity

Culturally responsive care and education

On a global scale: nations in motion (i.e., displacement of children and families through wars)

Gender diversity

Language diversity

Dual language learning

Religious diversity

Labeling and bias

Resegregation

For this assignment, choose one issue from the list above or an additional issue about which you want to learn more. Then:

Find three professional written resources (online, journals, etc.) that provide information about and/or further resources for this issue and study them.

Locate a child, a family, or an early childhood professional with personal experience regarding the issue you selected.

Ask that person/family/early childhood professional to tell you about experiences related to the issue you chose.

Summarize key insights you gained regarding the issue selected as well as what you see as opportunities for positive social change regarding the selected issue.

For this assignment, write a paper that includes:

A brief review of each of the three resources, including a citation in APA format for each professional resource

A summary of your conversation and an analysis of key insights

A discussion of any implications that your study of this one issue might have on your work in the early childhood field, including opportunities to serve as an agent of positive social change.

(Assignment length: 2 pages minimum)