Module 4 Discussion

Cultural Responsiveness

In Chapter 13 of your course text, the authors discuss the importance of cultural responsiveness in today’s increasingly diverse society. As defined in your course text, cultural responsiveness refers to the ability to communicate across cultural lines and collaborate effectively with different people. In this Discussion, you will consider ways in which you might foster cultural responsiveness in yourself and your staff, particularly when interacting with families. Reflect on the following:

• As director of a child development center, how would you cultivate your own cultural responsiveness, and that of your staff, on an interpersonal level? How might this strategy contribute to effective communication with families?
• As director of a child development center, how would you cultivate your own cultural responsiveness, and that of your staff, on a structural level? How might this strategy contribute to effective communication with families?
• How might family-friendly practices (as described on pp. 294–295) factor into strategies intended to promote cultural responsiveness?

With these thoughts in mind, follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion topic.

By Day 3 of Week 7:

Post an explanation of one specific way in which you, as a director, would foster cultural responsiveness in yourself and your staff at your child development center on an interpersonal level, and one specific way you would do so on a structural level. Describe how you think each strategy would contribute to effective communication with families, as well as if and how the strategies might incorporate family friendly practices.

By Day 7 of Week 8:

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings. As you read their responses, note those to which you would like to respond with advice, questions, comments, and/or encouragement.

Respond to two or more of your colleagues’ postings in any of the following ways:

• Build on something your colleague said.
• Explain why and how you see things differently.
• Ask a probing or clarifying question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.
• Ask for evidence that supports the posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Reflect on what you learned in this activity and/or insights you gained this week.