The Importance of Understanding Culture

As an Early Learning professional it is important to have children as your main focus. It is your job to help children grow, learn, and develop in the best way that they can. While helping children do all these things, it is important to understand where the child is coming from and it is important to work alongside with the child’s family to ensure that the child is learning to the best of their ability. In order to do this, we as Early Learning professionals need to understand the importance of culture and why it plays a factor in the experiences provided for children.

It is crucial that we as Early Learning professionals know that everyone is different, everyone thinks differently, everyone learns differently, and everyone has different perspectives on things. While being in the work field, it is guaranteed that you’ll encounter people who don’t share the same perspectives, values and beliefs as you. You will also encounter people who do share these things with you, but it is important to know that because people don’t share these things with you, you should embrace it and use it as a learning tool. Understanding the importance of culture allows you to view things in different perspectives and not it doesn't just leave you close-minded to your own views. Learning about different cultures allows us to broaden our knowledge and see how different people think and perceive things. Early Learning professionals practices and beliefs about diversity and culture can either limit the exposure and learning options of a child or extend and support the richness of the experience the children engage in (Dietze & Kashin, 2016, p. 53).

Canada is a very diverse country and it is important to understand that in our profession, we need to support this and embrace it. Understanding the importance of culture provides nothing but a positive impact on the experiences of children. Some children may come from cultures that are much different then yours, or some children might not even speak English and all they know is the language in which their culture speaks. Engaging with the families of children allows us to create a bond with them where we can share and discuss what the child is learning and in certain circumstances, like when a child comes from a family where they don’t speak English as their primary language, establishing the best way to enhance a child’s develop and learning. In this circumstance, a child may have little or no understanding when they come to an Early Learning program. We can help a child by understanding that their culture is different and they will need the extra attention to feel secure. By assisting a child with words and objects, they can learn, as well as maybe encouraging families to use English as frequent as they can at home.

When I was 10, my stepmothers 15-year-old daughter who originally lived in Brazil, was coming to Canada for the first time permanently. Being 15 and in a country whose first language was English was hard for her as she spoke Portuguese back in Brazil and understood only basic English words. At first it was hard for her to adjust and know what was going on at school, but as she settled in she learned that one of her teachers spoke Portuguese fluently. This teacher began to help my stepsister with learning English by taking the extra time to explain class learning’s to her and even have one-on-one time after school or during lunches to help translate and explain projects or assignments. By taking the time and going out of her way to help and support my stepsister, this teacher became an important figure to her and was someone she could trust and rely on. By the teacher embracing and supporting the culture of my stepsister, and understanding that she needed the extra help and attention (being new to this country), she played a huge role in my stepsisters learning and development here in Canada. The teacher helped her in learning and understanding English that made a positive impact on her and the beginning of her new life here.

By gaining knowledge and insight into other cultures, we can learn the values that these cultures possess which will help us as professionals focus on what each and every child needs in order to grow, learn, and be successful. When we examine culture we expand our knowledge and can understand how to create and design spaces that allow all families and children to be respected (Dietze & Kashin, 2016, p. 75). Early Learning professionals can connect with children and families to gain knowledge on culture and to learn the importance of understanding culture. Culture is something to be embraced and shared, which results in creating an inclusive, universally acceptable place for families and children to create feelings of equitable and comfortable learning (Dietze & Kashin, 2016, p. 74).

So if you’re still wondering if understanding culture is important to the experiences provided for children, the answer is yes! Understanding the importance of culture allows for cultures to be embraced in Early Learning programs. It allows not only Early Learning professionals, but also other children as well to learn about different beliefs, values and perspectives. This allows for children to learn that we are all different in our own way and that it is important to embrace who we are and where we come from. Children gain knowledge about the world and become engaged when they learn about different cultures. By understanding and embracing culture and showing that we are all different and come from different cultures and families, children can feel accepted and included when experiencing all sorts of things throughout their life, which can only enhance and improve the way of learning.

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