Internet Citation: Research Protocol: Improving Cultural Competence to Reduce Health Disparities for Priority Populations. Content last reviewed December 2019. Effective Health Care Program, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.
Cultural competency is about having awareness, respect and understanding of the diversity around you. Cultural competence is “respecting multiple ways of knowing, seeing and living, celebrate the benefits of diversity and have an ability to understand and honour differences". It is an opportunity for children to develop their sense of belonging and to become more aware of our differences and similarities. Cultural competence aims to foster interactions between different cultures, this means it is about the relationships we make, our attitudes, and how we honour and celebrate diversity. When we are being culturally competent we appreciate and live with difference, and we are aware of what we gain from acknowledging differences. Cultural Competence In The EYLFThe EYLF describes cultural competence as, “much more than an awareness of cultural differences. It is the ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures”.
Cultural competence builds on the abilities that individual children bring with them and provides support where it’s needed to enable all children to achieve their learning potential. In the context of an early education and care setting the Guide to the Early Years Learning Framework stresses that cultural competence needs to be applied on three levels: At the individual level - where it will be evident in the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours of each educator in their relations with children, families and colleagues. At the service level -where it will be evident in the policies, procedures, expectations and practices of the setting and the way in which the views of children, families and the community influence decisions. At the systems level —where it will be evident in the way services relate to local community people and agencies and respect local protocols. Cultural Competence In PracticeEducators who are culturally competent respect multiple cultural ways of knowing, seeing and living, celebrate the benefits of diversity and have an ability to understand and honour differences. Educators also seek to promote children’s cultural competence. Educators who respect diversity and are culturally competent:
Developing Children's Cultural Competence Include:
Environment and ResourcesCultural competency is about everyday practicalities as much as big concepts and principles. Educators create culturally supportive programs and environments when they work collaboratively with families to include elements of family life into the service. Familiar items from children’s homes, celebrations that recognise the important times in families lives and routines that respond to children’s everyday lives are just a few of the ordinary ways we can make cultural competence real. Welcoming and Supportive Environment
Art Area
Music
Construction & Blocks
Dramatic Play
Displays
Nature
It's important to understand that adding diverse resources into the environment and within the experiences that the children engage in should not be limited to just that. Culturally competent educators enable children to explore cultures, explore customs, explore traditions and create meaningful learning opportunities for children. Becoming culturally competent is to develop respectful relationships with children, parents and the community. It requires a positive attitude toward cultural differences and involves listening, observing and reflecting. References Guide To The Early Years Learning Framework |