Cultural Awareness and Competence of Early Childhood Teacher

Running head: CULTURAL AWARENESS AND COMPETENCY IN EARLY
CHILDHOOD TEACHER
Cultural Awareness and Competence of and Early Childhood Teacher
Name
Institution

CULTURAL AWARENESS AND COMPETENCY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER
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Introduction
One of the issues that need extra attention in early childhood learning is the aspect of
cultural diversity. This refers to where teachers deal with leaners from different cultural
backgrounds. The Learning Child Team of the UNL Extension claims that more evidence-
based research on cultural responsiveness is needed to ensure that the future of kids is safe
(Nugent & Catalano 2015). According to research, teachers who engage learners in positive
response towards all cultures, benefit the kids in various ways. One is that they make the
kids attain self-confidence and skills. This is because, they are taught that every culture
matters and is helpful in one way or the other, which makes them feel confident in all ways.
The other benefit is that the kids’ become aware, appreciate and get to know diverse beliefs
and cultures (Sufrin et al., 2018). In this case, the kids know that people originate from
different backgrounds but should be accepted the way they are. This makes the learners
socialize better not only in school but also later in life for example in workplaces. Also, the
achievement of the children is boosted, where teachers are keen about culture. Where kids
are taught to respect and accept each other despite cultural diversity, they achieve higher
marks in education because non feels discriminated. This is to say that where early childhood
teachers are keen on culture, the future of the kids is bright as they would perform better in
class, and also live better in later life s they appreciate all people equally. The paper discusses
four aspects, one being on cultural awareness competence requirements of an early childhood
teacher. The other one is on professional conduct and ethical considerations that an early
childhood teacher should consider. Cultural awareness practices and protocols for working
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families is also explained as well as professional
and ethical considerations for establishing relationships and partnerships with families.

CULTURAL AWARENESS AND COMPETENCY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER
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Cultural Awareness and Competence Requirements of an Early Childhood
Teacher
Cultural awareness refers to having the knowledge that leaners originate from
different backgrounds and that thus have different ways of doing things. Cultural
competency on the other hand, as defined by Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) refers
to some congruent behaviours, attitudes as well as policies that are combined in a system or
among professionals that help them work effectively in a cross-cultural setting (Mertens
2014). Teachers of early childhood learning should meet several requirements in becoming
culturally aware and competent while dealing with kids.
One is that the teacher should be aware of their culture and the manner in which
worldviews influence their practice (Hays 2016). For the teacher is accept other cultures,
they must know their own and how the world views it, which is helpful as the teachers know
the kind of treat to expect from other people. This prevents cases where the teacher would
feel intimidated and thus work ineffectively. Once they determine the kind of treatment they
expect, it would be easy accepting and working with other people in teaching. The other
requirement is that the teachers should respect and value various ways of knowing, seeing
and living. In this case, the teachers should not have a consistent way in which people should
live. Instead, they should accept and get ready for different ways. For example, if the dressing
code of a certain culture is said to be immoral, the teacher should not go by that but should
accept and respect it in becoming culturally competent.
Also, honouring differences is a requirement for an early childhood teacher to become
culturally aware and competent (Wlodkowski & Ginsberg 2017). In this case, the teacher
should have in mind that it is okay for kids to approach things differently and people are not
the same. Instead of having the attitude that those people act differently from the rest and thus

CULTURAL AWARENESS AND COMPETENCY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER
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weird, the teacher should accept differences. This would help the teachers not say that this
culture behaves badly while the other behaves right as they accept differences in ways of
doing things. It becomes easy working in a cross-cultural setting if the teacher accepts that
people do not act in the same way. Appreciating the aspect of the culture and its role in kids’
belonging, being and becoming is the other requirement (Best & Kahn 2016). In this case,
the teacher should understand that the success of the kids is influenced by the culture they are
from. Therefore, the teachers should ensure that the culture of each kid is accepted, to ensure
that they accept where they come from and therefore develop a positive attitude towards their
becoming or the future.
Teachers should also learn about various cultural practices and worldviews. In doing
this, they would gain more knowledge on how they different people act and conduct their
activities which helps them understand and know what to expect from different kids (Carrese
et al., 2015). The learning should be continuous to ensure that maximum knowledge about
different cultures is attained. Where the teachers learn this, it becomes easy understanding
how different people react to different issues and thus respects their way. The last
requirement in becoming culturally competent and aware while in early childhood teaching is
having the right communication skills while interacting with people of different cultures. The
manner in which a person communicates determines the response of the other person. Where
respect is shown, the people would relate effectively unlike where disrespectful language is
used. The teachers should, therefore, use respectful terms while communicating with people
from different cultures which is ensured by determining what different cultures like and
dislike.
Professional Conduct and Ethical Considerations an Early Childhood Teacher
must consider in Practice