Tuesday, August 18, 2015

I have learned a lot this semester.  A child’s culture and family background greatly impacts his experience and learning.  I strongly connected to the story of Lia Lee, a Hmong child with epilepsy, who suffered under the cultural dissonance between her family and the medical doctors in Merced, California (Fadiman, 2012).  There are multiple perspectives on each situation—none are inherently right or wrong.  Educators need to consider the family and cultural beliefs present.  Teachers should focus on developing relationships with families based on mutual respect and consideration.  Then and only then can a true reciprocal partnership be achieved.  Ultimately, as in the case of Lia, it is the child who suffers when parents and teachers are unable to come together on goals and practices.

References


Fadiman, A. (2012). The spirit catches you and you fall down: A Hmong child, her American doctors, and the collision of two cultures. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

2 comments:

  1. Sarah,

    I enjoyed reading your post. I really liked the reference you made to the "reciprocal relationship." This is something that I think we should always strive for. I know we build relationships all the time but do we always consider if they are reciprocal and what does that look like for the children and families that we are working with.

    Best wishes,

    Pam

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  2. Sarah,
    Great Job!! I agree with you, educators have to consider their students' culture and background. They have to respect differences as they respect similarities.

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