To find out more about the culture of the children in your care outside of the setting
Aim
To find out more about the culture of the children in your care outside of the setting and to develop strategies for harnessing this knowledge.
Evidence and reflection
Be on the lookout for, and make full use of, those occasions when you meet children outside of the setting, for example in local supermarkets, cinema, church and parks. On such occasions make time to observe the children interacting with their families and friends. Strike up conversations with their parents, carers and friends and use these to get to learn more about the child and their family, for example recent and forthcoming family events. Make this an exchange – not just an exercise in you getting to know about them. These are especially valuable opportunities as the territory is neutral so parents who feel somewhat intimidated by speaking to practitioners in the setting may feel more comfortable within this more mutual kind of conversational exchange.
Allow home culture to come into the setting by adopting an open-minded and welcoming attitude to children bringing in various artefacts, photographs, toys, music, food, and souvenirs. Whilst certain artefacts from home may seem to threaten setting values, think carefully before ‘out-lawing them’. Where possible find ways to incorporate such things into the curriculum. Keep a note of information gathered.
