Mary El Daher - CDPD 7002 - Families are unique

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Loyalist College *

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Sociology

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Jan 9, 2024

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Name: Mary El Daher Student #: 500166167 Course code: CDPD 7002 Facilitator: Tracie Hitchon Course Name: Child Family and Community Assessment Title: Families Are Unique Date of submission: December 12 th , 2020

How Does Learning Happen is an essential document that practitioners refer to all the time as it sets an understanding of children, families and educators all of whom are central to applying the four foundational conditions necessary to the optimal learning and healthy development for children: Belonging, Well-Being, Engagement and Expression . As an educator it is necessary to see children as competent, curious, rich in potential and capable of complex thinking to value and build on their strengths and abilities . I should make sure that all children are included, are valuable contributors and that they belong in my classroom. I need to provide nurturing, responsive, effective interaction and engaging environment so that they can trust me. I should provide the children with the opportunity to succeed. Children are curious in nature and I should make sure to deliver a diversified, age appropriate curriculum, hands on activities and responsive environment that values and builds on each child’s strengths and abilities. Also as an educator I always keep in my mind that families are the experts on their children, they exert a powerful influence on their children’s learning, development, health and well -being. By keeping a good relationship with the families, I learn about the children from an additional and valuable source. It is through communication that my acceptance to others occurs and helps me see the families as partners in the education of the children. In Canada, the classrooms are diversified, thus it is important that I learn about my fami lies’ culture so that I am better able to engage them and give them the sense that they belong. It is important that I keep open communications to encourage them be more engaged in their children’s learning thus working together to help the child achieve their full potential. My success as an educator also depends on keeping a professional relationship with my colleagues who are equally knowledgeable, caring, reflective and resourceful professionals.

Educators are a lifelong learners as well. They observe, reflect and make decisions about integrating knowledge from theories, research, their own experience and their understanding of individual children and families they work with. My ability to teach children expands past the children, it includes their families and my colleagues. By involving all of these components I help create a rich environment for the children.

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A- Indigenous Families: One of the defining characteristics of Aboriginal peoples is that they are a young population. Their ways of raising their children, to the uninformed observer might seem indifferent, differs from those in Southern Canada due to cultural differences. Their children are free to stay up late when not in school, eat when they are hungry and not according to a set meal schedule as well as disciplined in a different manner by their parents. Below are some of their characteristics: 1- Naming customs: Aboriginals name their born child after the soul of a deceased relative or community member. They believe that they soul manifests in the child in different ways thus the child automatically deserves the same respect and treatment their namesake received while alive. 2- Birth of a child: The mother gets assisted by an older experienced woman and would spend much of its early life tucked in a parka with a hoodie next to the mother. The child is in almost constant contact with the mother, however older girls often assume some of the duties associated with raising young children. 3- Breastfeeding: it is not weird to have children as old as 5 years old still being suckled, however the child would be weaned when the mother becomes pregnant with her next child. Once weaned, the child is gradually encouraged to develop adult behaviors. However, the girls assume responsibilities earlier than boys do. 4- Adoption: A child who loses his parents is readily accepted into another household but usually it is that of a close relative. Also if a couple are unable to have children they could ask another couple to adopt their next child. Despite adoption, the children know their biological parents but their primary loyalty is to the adoptive parents.

5- Indigenous languages: Indigenous cultures have rich oral traditions. Their values and beliefs were passed down from generation to another by the way of storytelling, song, dance and other oral means. Indigenous families continue to face the widespread impoverishment, inadequate housing, food security, ill health and unsafe drinking water but they still live with the largely unresolved legacy of the harm that was done. Some of these issues are: 1- Higher rate of death suicide: A 2016 Statistics Canada found that more than one in five off reserve First Nations reported having suicidal thoughts. Suicide rates are 5 or 7 times higher than for non Aboriginal youth. Also, children are more likely to die from unintentional injuries, from drowning and other causes. 2- Higher rates of unemployment and lower income level: Indigenous peoples suffered from high rates of unemployment historically although it has not increased between 2006 and 2016 where there was a 25% income gap between the Indigenous and non- Indigenous. There are definite links between income, social factors and health as chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease were on the increase. 3- Inadequate housing and poor health: 44.2% of the First Nations people lived in a dwelling that needed drastic repairs. As a result of the inadequate housing or crowded living conditions, there is a high rate of respiratory problems. 4- Lower levels of education: According to the 2016 Canadian Census, 33.65% of Aboriginals have no secondary school or equivalency certificate. Books that support Indigenous families that I have chosen are: 1- When We Are Kind:

This book written by Monique Gray Smith celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives. A display of Indigenous characters is featured in rich detail. A visual feast for families interested in seeing the Native world through small, kind deeds. – Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.orcabook.com/When-We-Are-Kind-P4677.aspx 2- You Hold Me Up: This book written by Monique Gray Smith delivers a powerful message “We need each other…” It is a great book to teach children how to show respect to one another and how to treat each other. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.ca/You-Hold-Monique-Gray- Smith/dp/1459814479#customerReviews

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Community Resources: Local resource: United Native Friendship Centre The United Native Friendship Centre, located in the York Region, is mainly responsible to serve the Aboriginal people and help them enhance their lives. Its Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) offers supportive services to parents and newborn children up to six years of age. It provides services to Native youth, single parents and high risk families in the areas of effective parenting, child development, fetal alcohol effects, pre-parenting preparation and good life teaching. Provincial resource: Ministry of children, community and children services

These programs help Indigenous families and individuals. They provide free, voluntary services to pregnant moms and for families with young children under the age of 6 years old as they believe that a child’s early years are very important. Hence, healthy babies develop into healthy children and healthy children grow to be healthy teenagers and adults. Their program Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children program helps children get a healthy start in life while honouring and respecting the Indigenous culture and beliefs. Federal resource: First Nations Child and Family Services First Nations Child and Family Services program aim is to support the safety and well being of First Nations children and families living on the reserve, it is community directed and focused on prevention and early intervention. B- Adoptive Families: Raising a family is not for the faint of heart. Any parent will tell you that raising children is the hardest job you’ll ever love. Adoptive parents posses several assets or what we call qualities. Some of these qualities are: 1- Risk Takers and positive perspective: Adoptive parents take each day at a time, they maintain a positive outlook on the future as promising. They welcome new challenges as they understand and accept that enormous changes, some predictable and many not, are part of becoming a new family. They understand that a child cannot blend in to the family as it exists but rather some changes must be done. Adoptive families’ unique characteristic is that they are comfortable with the unknowns. When problems arise, they concentrate on the family as a unit rather than on one specific member.

2- Good communicators and problem solvers: Adoptive parents are active listeners, they examine a problem from many angels and employ creative solutions as they view the child in his total environment knowing that he is influenced by many factors such as school, friends, past experience, etc… They are appropriate in their expression of feelings and allow the child to experience and express pain and grief. 3- Maintain commitments and flexibility: Adoptive parents now that this is not an easy journey and they will stick. When something is not working they try a different approach. They can tolerate testing and refuse to be hindered by the child’s rejection. No matter how disappointed they might feel if no attachment took place, they will not withdraw back. They will persevere in the face of adversity, give without getting back and do not need rewards from the child. 4- Open versus closed family system: Adoptive families who succeed are the ones to tran sition quickly from tentative parents to full “ownership”. They are the ones that incorporate the child’s many differences and history into their family. They are open to accept help from a number of sources such as teachers, other parents, social workers, etc… They view help as an asset instead of a threat. Adopting a child is a beautiful process, but it is not without its issues. While adoption is just another way for a family to become a family, raising adoptive children can pose certain challenges. 1- The adoption process: The adoption process is a long and daunting process due to the endless paperwork it requires. There are many steps from screening prospective parents to matching them with their children.

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2- Accepting your child’s birth parents and culture: All adoptive families are confronted with the fact that their child was born to other people which generates some feelings of insecurity and jealousy, sometimes anger. Most children are curious about their birth families, origins and culture, hence it may be best to find ways to share the information with your child in an age appropriate manner. Demonstrating that adoptive families understand and respect the children’s interest in their roots is a good way to connect. 3- Inappropriate questions: Adoptive families and their children might hear some questions that they are uncomfortable answering specially in a multi-cultural or multi- racial family where the child does not resemble the parents. 4- Disconnectedness from the family: Adoptive children may feel as if they are not a true part of the family or even that they are different. On another note, 51% of children in foster care eventually reunify with their primary caregivers which can take an emotional toll on everyone. Books that support adoptive families that I have chosen are: 1- Just Right Family: An Adoption Story This book written by Silvia Lopez is a great choice for preschoolers and interracial adoptive families. It talks about a girl who was adopted from China, learns that her parents are going to adopt a baby from Haiti. As the baby girl begins to accept the idea of a sibling, she realizes that a new addition can be just right for their family too. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36135849-just-right-family

2- Just Really Joseph: A Children’s Book About Adoption, Identity, And Family : This book written by Kayla Craig talks about adoption, identity and family. It describes the life of 2 young brothers who have different skin colors. It provides age appropriate ways to talk about race and trans-racial adoption. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.ca/Just- Really-Joseph-Childrens-Adoption/dp/1483583813

Community resources: Local resource: Adoption Council of Ontario Adoption Council of Ontario was founded in 1987 and is located in Toronto. It is a non charitable organization aimed at providing outreach, support and education to all adoptees and adoptive parents. Their vision is to work towards a community that connects families and children while supporting them during their journey. Provincial resource: Ontario Adoption Assistance Program This program provides information resources to prospective adopters and adoptive parents as they like to ensure that every child and youth, no matter their age, should have a permanent, culturally diverse and loving family. Staff members in this program are experienced adoptive and foster parents. They provide information, emotional support and referrals to community resources. They also offer online and in-person support groups for families. Such services are of crucial importance as they help the parents understand and address their children’s challenges and at the same time helps improve family functioning. Federal resource: Adoption Authorities – Canada This website holds so much valuable information as it provides an access to all provincial and territorial central adoption authorities. Their first priority is to make sure that the child’s rights are protected under Canadian law. It provides a guide to Canadian parents planning on adoption

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from another country to follow their province or territory’s regulations and to abide by the laws of the child’s country of origin which helps as well eliminate any shortcuts in the adoption process that could enable people to obtain children for the purpose of human trafficking. C- Newcomer Families: Travelling to a new country is not an easy thing to do with all the challenges it brings along. The good news is that anyone can adopt the traits if they have a strong desire to win. Below are some of the unique characteristics that newcomers poses. 1- Open to changes and diversity: Everything about Canadian culture is new to a newcomer: its people, lifestyle, places and weather. When newcomers arrive in Canada they take great risks and leave their comfort zone to move to the unknown. Most of them have an open mind which assisted in their transitioning into a new life. You are different and so is the person next to you so there is no reason not to get along well. 2- Gratitude: Newcomers exhibit hallmark characteristics and work ethic. Not only do they have a deep appreciation for a prosperous life in a land that provided them with a better life and great opportunities, but also they respect the influence their ancestors played in shaping who they became. 3- Language: Newcomers are aware that if they do not learn English, all their skills will be hidden away. Thus they make a conscious decision to learn their new country’ s language. Newcomers are unique as in addition to their mother tongue, they also acquired a new language skill which allows them to progress along the job ladder, increase their employment probability and ease their access to better paying jobs on one hand and on another hand they transfer their mother tongue to the younger generations.

4- Personal growth: Moving to a foreign country taught immigrants how crucial it is not to have a fixed mindset but master new skills and a different culture. It made them more eager to learn, prosper and develop. When paired with a do whatever takes mindset they learnt from their mistakes and continued to take risks which for sure allowed to project ahead of the competition. Newcomer families may all be well educated and hold a vast experience, paired with their eagerness for personal growth they play a vivid role in Canada’s economy growth. Moving to a new culture can be complicated and challenging. 1- Language barrier: Language is one of the biggest barriers that newcomers face when resettling in a new country. It can make the easiest basic tasks such as buying food or filling forms very frustrating. 2- The weather: Canada’s climate varies widely based on its geography. Th e weather could climb from freezing to warm in just a few hours. You never know what to expect. 3- Isolation and cultural shock: Most newcomers feel isolated and lonely as they miss the support of their friends, family and extended social circles. It takes time to adjust to a new place and feel comfortable in it as well as it takes time for locals to get used to the newcomers and reach out. Some newcomers face cultural shock if they do not easily adapt to the new culture. Accepting different values or believing them does not mean you have to take them on as your own but they will need to learn to respect them in others. It is important that newcomers keep an open mind and do not perceive anything that is different to be “wrong”. 4- Employment and housing: Newcomers who are well educated and have well established careers back home find it very frustrating that they cannot find the same job

in the new country they move to. Their challenges are related to credentials and the Canadian experience as the certifications they have might not transfer. Also newcomers might lack local knowledge on how the housing market works which poses problems. Books that support newcomer families which I have chosen are: 1- Disney It’s A Small World Hello, World! This book published by Disney world for children ages 3 to 5 years old. It takes them on a tour around the world teaching them how to say “hello” in 10 different languages celebrating difference. It is colorful, modern, and inspired by Mary Blair's designs for the famous Disney theme park attraction, "It's a Small World"! Language is essential to the expression of culture. It is a means to communicate values, beliefs and customs. This story is a great way to spark children’s curiosity to explore the world and its many cultures in the simplest way and what is better than learning how to initiate a conversation by using the simple word “Hello”. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Its-Small-World-Hello/dp/1423141407

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2- Celebrations of the World This story addresses children ages 2 to 8 years old. It sheds light on world celebrations and celebrates diversity of local communities. This resource helps children to understand the people and the world around them by promoting acceptance of different cultures, beliefs, languages, families, appearances and lifestyles. Retrieved from https://www.teaching.com.au/product/MJI007

Community resources: Local resource: Welcome centres The welcome center plays an important role in the community helping all new comers to settle and be contributing members of the Canadian society. They assist families to deal with all sorts of problems related to their adjustment, searching for jobs, accreditation and qualifications information, learning English language to help them gain confidence to venture into the wider community, as well as culturally family appropriate counselling when needed. Provincial resource: Services for Newcomers to Ontario

This organization provides newcomers to Ontario with a vast resource which they can refer to in any topic be it housing, employ ment, education, health, etc… Newcomers can refer to it to educate themselves on many topics related to their kids such as how to enrol them in school, helping a child adjust to a new school, how to apply for their child’s OHIP, etc… Federal resource: CMAS This organization was funded by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Its purpose is to meet the needs of immigrants and refugee families. It focuses on language learning, creating an inclusive environment and managing effects of culture shock. It also meets the unique needs of children new to Canada. They provide webinars and guidance on different topics such as the impact of the refugee experience at different ages, the developmental effects of trauma and resettlement, information on the refugee culture, etc…

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References: Aboriginal Family Support Programs. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.unfc.org/aboriginal-family-support-programs An Introduction to How Does Learning Happen?: Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years: For Leaders . (2014). Toronto: Ministry of Education. Carolyn, Says, J., Paragas, J., Says, C., Says, L., Amor, L., . . . Casionan, M. (2020, September 03). 5 Ideal Qualities Of A Successful Newcomer To Canada (You Must Possess Or Develop). Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://lostintheleafcity.com/successful- newcomer-to-canada/ Craig, K. (2016). Just really Joseph . Pennsauken, NJ: Bookbaby. DeVere, C. (n.d.). Characteristics of Successful Adoptive Parents. Retrieved December 13, 2020, from http://www.families4children.com/adopt_success.cfm Family Structures. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/youth-and-elders/ Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada; Communications Branch. (2020, October 15). First Nations Child and Family Services. Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1100100035204/1533307858805 Immigration, R. (2019, October 29). Government of Canada. Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees- citizenship/services/canadians/adopt-child-abroad/authorities.html Ingram, M. (2013). Celebrations of the World . Australia: Ozpublishing. Joseph, B. (n.d.). 8 Key Issues For Indigenous Peoples In Canada. Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/8-key-issues-for-indigenous-peoples-in-canada

Kubo, N. (2011). It's a small world: Hello, world! New York: Disney Press. Lopez, S., & Chen, Z. (2018). Just right family: An adoption story . Chicago, IL: Albert Whitman & Company.Smith, M. G., & Neidhardt, N. (2021). When we are kind . Toronto: CELA. Ontario Adoption Assistance Program. (2020, October 22). Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.nacac.org/help/adoption-assistance/canada-adoption-assistance- subsidy/provincial-programs/ontario-adoption-assistance-program/ Ontario, T. (n.d.). ACO - Newsletter Sign Up Sidebar. Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.adoption.on.ca/5107/parent-support-profiles/Richmond-Hill Services for Newcomers to Ontario. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://settlement.org/ontario/immigration-citizenship/landing-and-leaving/living-in- ontario/services-for-newcomers-to-ontario/ Tips for helping refugee children understand and manage big feelings and challenging behaviours. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://cmascanada.ca/2018/02/05/tips-for-helping-refugee-children-understand-and- manage-big-feelings-and-challenging-behaviours/ Welcome to Welcome Centre Immigrant Services - All the services you need...all in one place. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2020, from http://www.welcomecentre.ca/ You Hold Me Up: Gray Smith, Monique, Daniel, Danielle: 9781459814479: Books. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2020, from https://www.amazon.ca/You-Hold-Monique-Gray- Smith/dp/1459814479 4 Challenges All Adoptive Parents Face. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.tlcme.com/parenting/4-challenges-all-adoptive-parents-face 5 Common Challenges Faced by Immigrants. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.arrivepreparedalberta.ca/blogposts/5-common-challenges-faced-by- immigrants

Mary El Daher - CDPD 7002 - Families are unique

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