TCHR2002 Children, Families & Communities Report Sample

TCHR2002 Children, Families & Communities Report

Portfolio short responses to unit content

1500 words excluding references

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT, is permitted for this preparation of Assessment Task, within university guidelines. If you use GenAl tools, you must use these ethically and acknowledge their use. To find out how to reference GenAl in your work consult the APA 7th referencing style for your unit via SCU Library referencing guides.

1 word document saved as a PDF or Word document

• Submit to Turnitin in the assessment 2 folder on Blackboard

• No resubmissions of assignments are permitted in this unit Complete a cover sheet with copies of special consideration approval You will demonstrate the following
Unit Learning Outcomes on the successful completion of this task:

ULO3: Explain the diverse range of issues affecting children, families and communities including social, economic and educational policies and their impact upon service provision for children and families.

⚫ULO4: Critically analyse texts, images, and songs in terms of the construction of childhood, and families across diverse contexts.

Assessment Rationale

Early childhood professionals need to critically reflect on the diversity of issues that affect children and families in contemporary society. Working in partnership with families requires effective communication to resolve such issues and understand how these issues effect policy and practice.

Assessment Description

The aim of this assessment is for pre-service teachers to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding regarding the diverse issues facing children and families in contemporary communities and consider links to policy and practice. This assessment aligns with the unit learning modules 4-6 and requires you to reflect upon key issues presented in the unit content and complete three (3) x 500-word responses to the following topics.

Topic 1: Critical Text Analysis

Find a media article from a newspaper, social media or Internet focussing on a childhood issue. Pay attention to the ideas about the construction of childhood and family and community diversity explored in the unit. Useful sites include:
https://theeducationhub.org.nz/ece-resources/

Write a summary, critical analysis and evaluation of the article.

Pay attention to the ideas about construction of childhood family and community diversity explored in the unit. Write a summary, critical analysis and evaluation of why this topic is important.

Topic 2: Family and Community Diversity

Write about a children's issue/topic for a family newsletter outlining the ideas from the critical text analysis you explored in topic 1. You are able to write this in a newsletter style and use images, but you do not have to. Even though the language will be written in everyday language rather than highly academic, the article needs to show understandings of the unit content and readings. It should build on evidence of research and other significant literature and critically analyse the ideas presented around the issue. This isn't about giving your opinion or recommendations, more an opportunity to give an overview of the chosen article to communicate these ideas to families. Pay attention to the ideas about family and community diversity (500 words).

Topic 3: Impact of Educational Policies and Practices

Now use the issue and understandings you have developed from your chosen text and newsletter article to consider how they align with early childhood policy and practice in an education setting (500 words).

• How might some of the ideas be reflected in policy and practices?

• Give examples of what this would look like in practice.

How might an education setting develop effective partnerships with families?

Assessment Instructions

Formatting and style

APA 7 formatting is required for this task.

• Include the Southern Cross University cover page and indicate if and how you have used GenAl in the assessment

• Include clear headings for the topics you are responding to

Indent the first line of each new paragraph.

Use 12-point font.

Use a 1.5 or double-line space for your writing and your reference list

Referencing

• APA 7 Referencing style is required to be used for this task. Please refer to the APA 7th Referencing Guide for this task - https://libguides.scu.edu.au/apa

• Create a reference list on a new page at the end of task with a minimum of ten references, although you may use more. These are not counted in the overall word count.

⚫ At a minimum, your sources for this task will include the unit required text, unit readings, EYLF (AGDE, 2022) and broader literature.

Solution

Topic 1: Critical Text Analysis

The article provided by Early Childhood Australia organisation is aimed at increasing family diversity with young children. The text selected for critical analysis is “Children learn a lot through their observations of others, and when they see educators interacting warmly with their families they relax and feel more secure” (Earlychildhoodaustralia, 2018). The principles which carry the bond of family and community building such as trust and diversity is considered to be an appropriate application of EYLF. Early childhood exposure to such principles can help children to understand the relation between society and themselves thereby resulting better social circle when they grow up (von Doussa, Power, & Riggs, 2020). It cannot be denied that EYLF principles on increasing partnership within the family as a group tends to bring out the respect towards diversified viewpoint and acceptance of different people in the form of inclusion. The article has critically examined the contribution of inclusivity within the family environment that helps in developing a child to bond well with the family members during early childhood (Baumrind, 2013).

This article for MBA assignment expert from Early Childhood organisation and the selected text from it expresses the need to collaborate with parents as an activity based mechanism for growth of child. Module 6 of linking policy and practice has asserted on the importance of partnership with parents which helps in development of children. However, the framework provided in the module is based upon the ability or skill to build relationship with family members so that challenging conversation can be held along with appropriate response against indicents of aggression which can be communicated by having a good grasp over communication regarding policy.

The article consider this point of anti-bias principles as one of the supporting pillar to develop the article targeting inclusivity and sharing positive relation in the family environment. The example to showcase family diversity in article works in favour of children because it explains the impact of inclusivity and support of family members in the form of past engagement with family diversity where two Taiwanese women as a couple brought their son to Early Childhood Organisation to help in his English speaking skills and also to indulge the dynamics of diversity in the family. In terms of social relationship of a child, the article explored the emphasis of building support toward indigenous community of Australia (Cherrington, Cooper & Shuker, 2021). It has explored the benefits of attending cultural traditions of Aboriginals Australians which help in removing cultural barrier which is often noticed in conventional family settings. It has stressed upon the inclusion of smoking ceremonies done Aboriginals does not only provides knowledge to children but also foster a culture of unity.

The key take away from the exercise was inclusivity through early childhood which do not only prepares them to act upon social injustice but also to not commit any form of discrimination with others. The module 4 on diversity contexts and family diversity has covered the question of characteristics which establishes a family. They have included the definition provided by Australian Bureau of Statistics which do not fall in the traditional stereotypical family.

Topic 2: Family and Community Diversity (Newsletter for Parents)

The childhood topic which is covered in article taken for topic 1 is inclusivity that does support the traditional perception and definition of family. It has explored the importance of inclusivity in parents and social environment where discriminatory practices are generally the result of lack of inclusivity among people. By bringing inclusion into early childhood years you can develop a sense of community involvement with your child. It does not ask you to be an efficient parent but empowers you to expose the environment of inclusivity among your children which can bring the relation of trust and mutual respect as we can see it is almost absent in our community.

The discrimination on the basis of religion, ethnicity and creed often revolves around people who has not faced the opportunity of inclusion in their family environment. Lets take a moment to define family diversity before discussing its benefits.

Accepting individuals from diverse racial religious gender and sexual backgrounds is a key component of family diversity. Furthermore the most crucial factor regarding family diversity is that each individual feels appreciated welcomed and a part of the community. Consider the following: grandparents live with their adult children to assist in raising the next generation single parents adopt or foster children and same-sex couples host baby showers. Family has a different meaning today (Baumrind, 2013). Furthermore it is almost hard to still classify it as nuclear. This is a positive development. Consequently it doesnt really matter.

To overcome any bias however it is imperative to recognize the benefits of family diversity. Children who grow up in families where there are individuals of various racial backgrounds religious beliefs genders sexual orientations and other characteristics are better equipped to deal with diversity as adults (Thompson, Simpson & Berlin, 2022). They acquire the skills necessary to be allies and advocates as adults in many ways. As children grow up they come into contact with a variety of people and learn to respect and value their opinions and guidance. They also understand how to view these individuals as members of their family rather than as dangerous others.

Children raised in diverse families are more tolerant understanding and open-minded. The module 5 on sense of belonging, becoming and following the principles of anti-bias curriculum falls within the notion of social justice. Early childhood exposure to indigenous culture and traditions helps them to carry gratitude for indigenous community and also propel them to interact with them by disregarding the concepts of non-inclusivity (Cohrssen, 2023).

I want you to understand as a parent and guardian that, Early childhood exposure to inclusive environment helps in providing a gateway for early development of trust and also cultural learning which are pivotal in modern dynamics of society and educational setting. As a result they listen and learn more before speaking. More than anything else children learn about being different and how to deal with people who are different. Families with diverse backgrounds teach them compassion in addition to manners of behavior. There is no disputing that advantage. Diversity in families is advantageous to all. Peoples fear of the unknown decreases when they interact with people who are different from them.

Topic 3: Impact of Educational Policies and Practices

The context of inclusivity, family diversity and community engagement are the core aspects covered in newsletter article and critical text analysis. The importance of diversified environment in a community and within the family is covered in holistic development of child as early childhood framework for their growth (Screen Australia, 2023). It can reflect in EYLF or Early Year Learning Framework policy where inclusivity in same gender couple and different race is welcomed. The primary impact of this practice in the form of policy is reducing the spread of disadvantaged family. The module 5 of social justice for children, family and communities has provided a framework where factors related to family environment, community environment, Macro environment, Opportunities, Capabilities and multiple dimension of persistence disadvantage condition defines the boundaries of disadvantage children or marginalized families in a community.

By considering inclusion and diversity into family setting as a framework for early child hood policy creates necessary opportunities to reduce the driving factors of disadvantage children (Thompson, Simpson & Berlin, 2022). It also meets with the AEDC framework (Australian Early Development Census) where educators need to ensure a child from early age is graded on the basis of five elements which are Physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills and communication skills and general knowledge. These assessments as a part of educational policy of Australia is able to improve the social aspect of child and also encourage teachers to share the reports of child to their parents which in turn would improve their physical health, emotional intelligence, cognitive and communication skill which are essentially required to meet the EYLF principles for inclusivity and engagement with community.

These elements of early childhood policy can be put into practice by engaging the family with indigenous culture and traditions. This exercise can aim to not only bring exposure of variant cultural understanding to children but also helps to create an effective partnership with families. Since they are also actively participating in inclusive education and journey of their child, it helps them to create a positive environment that supports the culture of respect among family members (Wang, 2021). Another way in which this policy can be put into practice is by allowing children to explore literature and stories regarding cultural identities of Australia. This can help them to bring down the barrier of cultural boundary against indigenous and provides a supporting mechanism to explore their traditions.

However, effective policy implementation is not possible without effective partnership with families of young children. In order to achieve this, weekly communication in two interaction can help bring forth suggestion from family members which can contribute toward a holistic growth of early childhood (Bricout et al. 2021). Another possible method is to open online community forums where indigenous people can be invited and able to interact with families along with their children before they meet in person. This practice can be able to prepare the parents as well as create a relation of trust with education setting.

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS]. (2021). Household and families: Census. Retrieved on 28 July 2024, from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/household-and-families-census/latest-release

Baumrind,D.(2013). Authoritative parenting revisited: History and current status. In R.E. Larzelere, A.Sheffield Morris & A.W. Harrist (Eds.), Authoritative parenting: Synthesizing nurturance and discipline for optimal child development (11–34). American Psychological Association. Retrieved on 28 July 2024, from: https://doi.org/10.1037/13948-002

Bricout, J., Baker, P. M., Moon, N. W., & Sharma, B. (2021). Exploring the smart future of participation: Community, inclusivity, and people with disabilities. International Journal of E-Planning Research (IJEPR), 10(2), 94-108. Retrieved on 29 July 2024, from: https://www.igi-global.com/article/exploring-the-smart-future-of-participation/262511

Cherrington, S., Cooper, K. & Shuker, M.J. (2021). Beyond invisibility: Early childhood teachers’ inclusion of rainbow families.Early Childhood Education Journal, 49, 1099–1111. Retrieved on 28 July 2024, from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01121-w

Cohrssen, C. (2023). The contribution of learning trajectories to enacting the Early Years Learning Framework V2. 0. Retrieved on 29 July 2024, from: https://research.acer.edu.au/rc21-30/rc2023/rc2023/18/

Earlychildhoodaustralia, (2018). Communicating family diversity and celebrations. Retrieved on 28 July 2024, from: https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/EC1803-Communicating-family-diversity.pdf

Screen Australia. (2023). Seeing Ourselves 2: Diversity, equity and inclusion in Australian TV drama. Retrieved on 28 July 2024, from: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/fact-finders/reports-and-key-issues/reports-and-discussion-papers/seeing-ourselves-2

Thompson,R.A.,Simpson,J.A.,&Berlin,L.J.(2022).Taking perspective on attachment theory and research: Nine fundamental questions. Attachment and Human Development. Retrieved on 28 July 2024, from: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2022.2030132

von Doussa, H., Power, J., & Riggs, D. W. (2020). Family matters: Transgender and gender diverse peoples’ experience with family when they transition. Journal of Family Studies. Retrieved on 28 July 2024, from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/shareview/10.1080/13229400.2017.1375965

Wang,N.(2021)., “I’ve learnt a lot from Bluey, but can the show be more representative?” (Apr.13,2021). ABC Everyday. Retrieved on 28 July 2024, from: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-14/can-bluey-show-be-more-representative/100042084