Cultural Diversity - Research Paper Example

 An important part of succeeding and growing in the recent world is through teaching our students the benefits of respecting and appreciating culture, race, and abilities of both those who are like us and those who differ from us (Kelley & Fitzsimons, 2000). The school may incorporate field trips as a means of promoting diversity among students right from their young age. Field trips should not be taken like mere vacations rather as a relevant lesson with the aims of engaging students to understand the diversity and leaves a lifelong imprint on their lives. Field Trips That Promote Diversity In Maryland School, diversity among students is promoted through field trips. One major example of these field trips is visiting the community. This helps to expand what children view the world beyond the confinement of the school boundary. The second example is through visiting interesting people in their communities. Every community has interesting people like female mechanics, male cook, a wheelchair athlete, and many others (France, Rodríguez & Hett, 2004). Through this, students can understand and appreciate different people in the communities. Another example of the field trip is taking the students to a different place of works of their parents. This makes them understand the different people, their parents associate with, understand different occupations and create a more realistic view of the world in their minds. Activities That Promote Diversity Maryland School has exposed and made its students understand and accept diversity through creation of certain activities performed in the school. The school has a Parents Day, a day when all parents and their children are required to share their culture and establish in their children’s. They carry out numerous activities that display their culture depending on the interest of the parents and their children’s. Cooking, cultural meals, performing folk songs, dance, and tales about their culture are performed (Conteh, 2003). Activities to be Added The school should allow its students to visit other schools in the community. Schools are institutions that have students of different races, ethnicity, linguistic and religious. Through visiting, they can relate together and expose students to diversity in some ways. Maryland can further promote classroom match up with neighboring schools t as a platform for students to exchange information. What needs to be implemented at Maryland School Maryland school should come up with internet correspondent as a step of exposing its students to diversity. Creation of an internet correspondence is important because it is where students can share about their cultures with children from other schools in different countries. This tool is important to the school and has helped in learning and understanding of a significant number of culture (France, Rodríguez & Hett, 2004). To Promote a Healthy Child in the Family Develop positive relationship. A healthy relationship indicates that the child is in tune with the parents. A positive relationship between the parent and child arises when the child understands the responsibility and expectations of the parents. This is created through good communication in the family and is helpful during the stressful time to sort out disagreements. Protection. It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure their children are safe and protected from any harm. The child needs to feel secure and optimistic in life. A child raised by a protective parent is courageous to face life challenges, which is a benefit to the family and the whole community. Provider. Parents that provide the needs required by the child have a healthy relationship. The child requirements both basics like education are catered for thereby resulting in a healthy individual to help the family and the community. Cultural Values Different cultural values exist in almost every school in the country. There is a variety of cultural values from different races and backgrounds in our classes. Cultural differences are obvious and can lead to misunderstandings. Cultural values govern different community on religious, education, gender, or economic aspects (Kelley & Fitzsimons, 2000). They ensure the community is run along certain principles that are viewed right by the community. One bias that arises is when one got the information about a different culture is discrimination of the Islamic community by the Christians because they have different religious practices and values. It is sad discriminating one community because of lack of knowledge and understanding of their values. Diversity in the Classroom In Maryland School, diversity has been promoted by having world maps and globe in every class. This is the first important step towards diversity in class. Colorful maps are hanged on classes and serve as a reference to children when a global newsworthy happens. The children locate the country and engage in discussions. Taking a stand against cultural insensitivity is another step in promoting diversity. Children need to grow up with no prejudice towards certain ethnic and racial communities. Another step is watching a movie that promotes diversity. Movies, which introduce a new culture, place or disabilities are watched in classrooms (Conteh, 2003). Staff Professionalism and Understanding of Diversity Experts and teachers can develop their knowledge and teaching about diversity through coming together and build a wide scope of understanding of different cultures and their values (France, Rodríguez & Hett, 2004). As tools, teachers need to know almost all cultures to avoid confusion. The teachers can undergo training and short courses on diversity to broaden their knowledge. The teachers should be flexible and easy to acknowledge different cultures and their values that are displayed in their interaction with the students. Child’s View and Future Prediction Children in recent time seem to have little knowledge of diversity because there are constantly numbers of cases that appear every day about culture. The student thus need the help of the teachers a society on negotiating about complexities that appear in multicultural societies (Kelley & Fitzsimons, 2000). When these issues are addressed, the future will be free of cases of discrimination based on culture, ethnicity, race, religion, or ability. References Conteh, J. (2003). Succeeding in diversity. Stoke-on-Trent: Trentham. France, H., Rodríguez, M., & Hett, G. (2004). Diversity, culture, and counselling. Calgary, AB: Detselig Enterprises. Kelley, M., & Fitzsimons, V. (2000). Understanding cultural diversity. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett. Read More