Unit 2: Module 9 Children and Culture

In this module, you will investigate the influence of culture on the health and wellbeing of children. You will explore child-rearing practices and lifestyle choices of different cultures. As well, you will discuss and explore the benefits and opportunities provided to children through a variety of cultural experiences. Similarly, you will develop activities suitable for childcare services that promote cultural diversity.

ASSESSMENT TASK 2

Imagine you are the teacher responsible for planning and coordinating a cultural day at the Bright Beginnings Preschool. You have to plan activities to celebrate and learn about one culture, other than Australian, and produce an information booklet that outlines the day for parents and staff.

You should use the Bibliography Format Guide for recording your sources of information.

Sense of Identity

Learning Intention: We will be able to name the factors that shape our sense of identity

Children learn about themselves and construct their own identity within the context of their families and communities. This includes their relationships with people, places and things and the actions and responses of others. Identity is not fixed. It is shaped by experiences. When children have positive experiences they develop an understanding of themselves as significant and respected, and feel a sense of belonging. Relationships are for the construction of identity – ‘who I am’, ‘how I belong’ and ‘what is my influence?’

Activity 1

Using Lucidchart or other application such as Word SmartArt, create a mind map. If you need guidance, use the Lucid Charts - youtube tutorial
- - Place ‘I am...’ in the centre of the mind map
  - Add bubbles to describe yourself

Move around the class and look for someone who has the same identity as you
- - Is this is possible?
  - Consider, why or why not? Does uniqueness have anything to do with your answer?

Activity 2

Our society recognises a person’s identity in a number of official ways. For example, birth certificate. Let's have a Snowball Fight to brainstorm official ways we show identity:

- - When you are given a piece of paper, write down one type of official identification.
  - Everyone will then throw their piece of paper on the floor around the classroom
  - Pick up a piece of paper other than your own and write another official identification on that piece of paper.
  - This can be repeated 3 to 4 times.

In your Culture folder, create a Google Doc, titled My Identity, and list the official forms of identification that you have or use

Activity 3

Sometimes people wear badges, caps, t-shirts that, incidentally, make statements about their identity.
- Using Custom Ink or similar website, design a badge, t-shirt or cap motif that makes a statement about your identity
- Your teacher might print and display your creations

Activity 4

Download, save a copy into your Google folder and complete the Developing Identity Worksheet
Using Lucidchart or other application, brainstorm to create a mind map of factors that shape our ‘inner identity’ – the way we feel. How we act and what we think and say.

3 Level Guide - Identity and Belonging

Activity 5

Complete the 3 Level Guide – Identity and Belonging to explore the influence of parents on their child’s sense of identity and belonging

Culture and Identity

Learning Intention: We will be able to recognise and appreciate cultural differences and how they influence children's development.

Our community in Australia is diverse. The census figures show 27 per cent of the resident Australian population were born overseas. Twenty per cent of Australians have at least one parent who was born overseas, and the number of languages spoken at home by Australians is more than 400. We all learn to communicate and understand our world through sharing language, customs, behaviours, beliefs and values. Our cultural experiences and values shape the ways we see ourselves and what we think is important. Cultural perspectives influence how we parent, how we understand children, and how we educate them.