Handout C-5:The Home Environment
I. Fourth possible explanation: The home environment
Children carry experiences and relationships from home with them into Head Start as their unique constellation of expectations and behavior. While Head Start can not and should not control the home environment, understanding the way that it shapes a child's behavior allows staff to modify the Head Start environment to accommodate the child's needs. The home environment includes all the factors, such as language and culture as well as events, that the child experiences in her daily life.
II. Clues: How do I know if a child's behavior is explained by the home environment?
III. If the child's behavior is explained by factors in the home environment, what actions can I take?
- There is a conflict between different parts of the child's world: home and Head Start have different culture and values.
- The child's behavior has changed suddenly, and there are difficulties that the child is currently experiencing in the home.
IV. Examples
- If there is a conflict between home and Head Start, get more information about the home environment/culture from parents and professionals.
- When possible, change or adapt expectations to reduce conflict.
- Focus on the individual child to support and help, but don't expect that the child can change if the situation does not. The child is not in control of the situation.
- If the home environment is unsafe, it may be necessary to seek the consultation and/or involvement of Children's Protective Services.
- Keep your energy and focus on those things that you can control. Make Head Start a safe oasis for children who may be facing violence and chaos in their neighborhoods, homes, or relationships.
· Kuniko
Rosario, the mental health consultant who comes in every few months to observe at Ridge Valley Head Start, is a little worried about four-year-old Kuniko. Rosario is concerned that Kuniko seems very quiet and reserved. She notices that Kuniko does not make eye contact with anyone, not eVen Rhonda, who is the adult in the program she feels closest to. When Rosario talks more with Rhonda, she learns that Kuniko's family has recently immigrated from Japan, and that Rhonda feels Kuniko is adjusting fairly well despite being understandably bewildered by a new language and culture.
Rhonda decides to consult with a colleague who works at the community mental health center in the nearby city's Japan town to learn more about the culture that Kuniko comes from. Her colleague reassures her that reserved behavior is expected of Kuniko and that making eye contact would be considered disrespectful. Kuniko may need additional support to help her make the cultural transition, but the behaviors that worried Rosario could very well be explained by cultural expectations.
Rosario makes sure that she follows up with Rhonda to share what she has learned and make sure that they respect Kuniko's quiet style while supporting her.
Handout C-6 | Handout C-4 | Module 2| Index
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