Typically, when we think of social-cultural factors, what comes to mind first might be “color†or “race.†However, social-cultural factors extend to religious affiliation, specific types of communities, the culture of being a foster child or a child of abuse, children with exceptionalities, single -parent families, LGBT, homelessness, poverty, or migrant workers, etc. These environmental and cultural elements significantly impact one’s social and emotional development and the way that we see ourselves and the world at large. Since our social and emotional lives are intimately tied to our cultural identity, our job as ECEC providers is to possess cultural competence and understand developmental diversity while fostering appreciation and respect of our differences.
View this chart (Links to an external site.) and read the following articles that discuss Dr. Urie Bronfrenbrenner’s Ecological Systems:
Next, think about the infants and toddlers you intend to work with and: