Session 2
1. Session 2
1.8. Session 2 Summary
Session 2: Respecting Cultural Diversity
Session Summary

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Important: The quiz may contain questions beyond points highlighted in this summary. Be sure to review the session thoroughly.
Review Session 2 to prepare for writing the quiz. As you review, note the sections that connect with the following points:
- Alberta and Canada’s populations are becoming increasingly culturally diverse.
- Alberta had the strongest growth rate among the Canadian provinces and territories.
- People can be culturally diverse in the following areas, among others:
- race
- gender
- lifestyle
- age
- occupation
- sexual orientation
- spirituality
- religion
- ethnicity
- special needs and abilities
- language
- income level
- Developing an increased knowledge, awareness, and sensitivity will provide you with a better appreciation of what children and families bring to the child care environment.
- Learn about each family’s diversity from the family members. Do not make generalizations or stereotypes about them based on their diversity.
- Avoid the “tourist trap” when introducing culture to young children.
- Carefully think through guidelines for including or not including celebrations. Be sure you are getting information about how each family celebrates a specific holiday or event; otherwise, you will risk making generalizations and stereotyping.
- Recognize that the commonalities between human beings are greater than the differences between cultural backgrounds.
- When families and child care providers work together, the environments of both the home and the child care program are enriched and become more supportive of the child.
- It is important to understand that making generalizations and stereotypes about children’s and families’ cultural diversity creates barriers to positive relations between families and child care providers.
- It is important to reduce barriers to open communication.
Session Quiz
Checking In
Contact your teacher to decide together when and where you will complete the Session 2 Quiz.