"Viewing the Whole Child Through My Eyes"

     Schools are places of culturally diverse populations, just as our society is. As a result, we must become culturally responsive if we are to serve all students effectively. Diversity must be valued and used to reinforce classroom dynamics. Our current educational environment is rife with change and technological advances. The core of our curriculum, reading, writing, and mathematics should be expanded to include 'critical and creative thinking, problem solving,' and the love of life-long learning. In times like these the economy expects children to be prepared to think effectively. I like to view these issues of diversity because of the multicultural classrooms in this century. The demands of the 21st century requires an approach to educating the whole child and his community engagement. Effective education must also now include assisting students with appropriate social development in out fast-paced world. Some may believe it's necessary to differentiate between using the term "culturally responsive" and "multicultural education." The latter term has no specific meaning.

     However, no tables should be left unturned when focusing on the whole child. As an early childhood educator, I believe the educational system is doing a great deal to focus on the whole child. In addition, there are a number of ways educators can assess the child such as; maintaining children's sense of wonder and curiosity, binding cognitive learning to affective experience and accompanying it with language.

     This year I've wanted to focus my attention on children China because of my opportunity to educated two students from that region. Children in China are assessed by testing the rates of language delay or a history of dyslexia at age 5. They are also tested to understand their IQ level. This country focuses a great deal on intelligence.

Roux, J.L. (2002). Effective schooling is being culturally responsive. Intercultural Education, 12.1,4151. 
     Retrieved June 20, 2011 from EBSCO Host database.