Running head: STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Statement of Informed Beliefs

Nickole Mellon
College of Southern Idaho
Evin Fox
Families, Communities, and Cultures
Spring 2015

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Statement of Informed Beliefs

Introduction
Every aspect of a childs surroundings affect his/her socialization, development, and
learning. From family life to government and everything in between, children are being affected.
Educators have a very challenging job in balancing all the many aspects to create a learning
environment that is productive and enjoyable. As an eventual teacher I know if I take into
consideration each students individual ability to learn, social ecology, and culture I can create a
learning environment suited to allow any student to thrive.
Students Ability to Learn
Every student is unique and his/her ability to learn will match that uniqueness. Students
individuality comes from his/her home life, culture, and overall socialization. If any of these
aspects is a negative influence in the childs life, it may hinder the ability to learn in the same
way a student with only positive influences may be able to learn. This does not mean that the
child cannot learn, every child has it within him-or herself to learn and grow and develop. It
simply means the teacher must work around the factors that are distracting the child and
customize the lessons. The teacher plays a major role in ensuring each and every childs mind is
developing and gaining knowledge needed to live a fulfilling life.
Society expects kids to go to school and come out with the information and skill set
necessary to lead productive lives. Teachers are expected to provide these things so they are held
responsible if students are not gaining the skills and information for life. Starting in kindergarten
teachers must instill in children a desire to learn so that they gain a sense of responsibility for
themselves. When kids understand the importance of education and are excited about it, they will
go far in life.
Teachers must balance the students who have the ability to learn with ease, with the
students whose abilities are in other areas of study. Every lesson is going to be different in how
and when each child understands, and is able to use the knowledge presented. Teachers must

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

believe that every child is capable and create lessons that allow each individual to learn the
material presented. This is done by teaching the material in a variety of ways and being aware of
each students stage of cognitive development.
Jean Piaget theorized the way an individuals brain develops. In his theory of cognitive
development Piaget refers to four stages of development; sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete
operational, and formal operational. It is important for educators to pay attention to which stage
their students are in. Each stage occurs in order and Piaget did set out average age limits for each
stage but they are not always typical for all students. Some may be ahead of Piagets average
age, some may be right on schedule and some may be behind. Customizing lessons according to
this will allow students to thrive to their potential.
Setting goals from the start is a good way to ensure teachers and students alike are on the
right track. Objectives allow the teacher to assess progress as well as giving students a focal
point. Students are aware of what they are expected to know and teachers can focus on teaching
the lesson so that each student can fully understand it.
Students Social Ecology Theory
Social ecology theory can be defined in this context as the way children interact and
react to his/her surroundings. Urie Bronfenbrenner theorized the way a childs development is
related to their environments. His theory says that every aspect of society determines the way a
child will learn. His model begins with microsystems such as family, media, and peers and goes
to exosystems which includes school and community boards as well as social services and
parents work. Finally his theory talks about macrosystems which includes economy, religion,
and technology. All of these are influences that determine how a student will perform in a
learning environment. (Berns, 2013)
Families, communities, and cultures all play a very important role in a childs
development and learning ability. These aspects both directly and indirectly affect every child.
Family teaches children what is expected of them, mainly at home and in public places attended

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

with family such as restaurants and stores. Family members and peers contribute to how much or
how little media and censorship the child is exposed to. The behaviors learned at home spill over
into how the child will act in school or at friends houses. These family aspects could be positive
or negative but either way their willingness and ability to learn will be affected. For instance, if a
young couple with little education starts a family they may be unprepared maturity wise to
prepare their young child for school. They may try to do what is best for the little one but
because they do not understand how little brains develop, they could be inhibiting the childs
ability to learn. One example of this would be a child starting preschool with no sense of selfregulation, school is going to prove to be very difficult and at that young age the mind is being
trained that school is hard and I dont like it or I get in trouble a lot at school and I dont want
to go.
Culture and community plays into how a familys home life affects the children. High
crime areas have a very different culture than low crime areas. Communities with lots of
productive activities for children will result in lower crime rates than communities that have
nothing for kids to do. Religion and economics also factor into the culture and community. If the
economy is high and parents can afford to allow their children to participate in activities, such as
sports, that build self-concept then children are positively affected and will do better in school.
This would go opposite for an economy that is low, it will be more difficult for parents to provide
for sports, instruments or other fulfilling activities. Religion, in part, teaches families morals,
beliefs and values that could either positively or negatively affect the children. First instinct is to
believe religion is a positive influence but it can also be a lot of pressure balancing what a childs
church wants with peer pressure. Also, some religions dont teach ideal moral, values, and
beliefs. Some churches teach to look down on those not associated with the religion. As teachers,

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it can be challenging to balance what students believe is correct with what the school is trying to
teach is correct. It is important, however not to discriminate against anyones beliefs.
Cultural Diversity Instruction
Cultural Pluralism is defined, mutual appreciation and understanding of various
cultures and coexistence in society of different languages, religious beliefs, and lifestyles. In the
same text Cultural Assimilation is defined, the process whereby a minority cultural group take
on the characteristics of the majority cultural group (Berns, 2013) Schools that recognize and
adapt to different cultures would be a school of cultural pluralism. A school that expects those
who have different beliefs, religions, or languages to change and adapt to the majority would be
a school of cultural assimilation. The difference between the two is what the schools are teaching
their students. When a school as a whole teaches to accept differences that becomes part of each
students individuality, they will grow up and in society will be more accepting of the many
different people around them. Children especially minorities are going to thrive in an
environment that is accepting of their ways. Whereas in a school that teaches that the minority
must adapt to the majority, minority students are going to struggle because not only are they
trying to learn but they are also trying to fit in. This is especially true of students who speak a
different language. The students that are the majority will grow up with a close minded outlook
on those around them. It will be very challenging for them to accept different views and beliefs.
Cultural pluralism is the most effective way to instill proper societal values without having to
drill how you should be into childrens heads. We want open minded considerate citizens so it
is important to demonstrate that to students. It is important for children to decide who they are
but if we set a good example they are bound to follow.
Teachers must be aware of the different backgrounds that are in the classroom. There
will always be different ethnicities, cultures, and religions in every classroom. When teachers
allow for some time to learn about each other and each difference then everyone will feel more

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connected. When everyone gets along there is sure to be a positive learning environment.
Embracing each childs individuality will ensure that students enjoy coming to class because
they are not being forced to be someone they are not.
This can be challenging for teachers and will take certain skills and mindsets. In order to
instill open-minds, teachers must also be open minded. Teachers cannot allow their own beliefs
to interfere and must set the example that it is okay to have different viewpoints. A challenge
may be presented if a students parents are not open minded. Parents may be teaching kids
hatefulness towards different cultures. A prime example in our present time is hatred toward
Muslims. There are many people who hate anyone that comes from that area of the world even
though the majority of the Muslim population is harmless. The children of these parents are
following their examples and it is important for teachers to provide a different example. The
challenge is that an educator cannot say to a child, your parents are wrong, they instead must
be a very obvious positive role model that shows very positive results. This will help children to
make correct decisions throughout his/her life about being accepting towards others.
Curriculum for All Learners
Teachers encounter all these different backgrounds and ways of thinking in the many,
many children they instruct throughout their careers and must balance all of that with teaching a
required curriculum and ensuring that developing minds are soaking it all up. It is important to
create lessons that teach the material in numerous ways and to be prepared to change it up a little
if needed. A lesson may be planned one way but a portion of the class may be struggling with the
material therefore the lesson must be revised to meet the different needs. As the year goes on
teachers will learn each students learning styles and will be able to plan lessons according to
each student. Goals should be set so that at the end of a lesson a proper assessment can be given
to gauge whether or not everyone understands what they should. Teachers should also implement
some sort of system to be sure that children are gaining not only basic knowledge but also skill

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

sets to be good people in general. Although teachers cannot instill personal beliefs onto children,
they can teach how to treat people and how to be accepting of change and differences. Teachers
can teach students how to be civil human beings and to strive for personal excellence. It takes a
village to raise children, and educators are a huge part of their raising.
Conclusion
Teachers must be positive influences to their students. They must create environments
that engage kids and give them the desire to know more. It is all a balancing act that can prove to
be very challenging but it is the most rewarding career because teachers get to teach the doctors
lawyers and even stay at home parents and burger flippers.
No matter where each student ends up in life, as a teacher I want to know that I was a
positive influence in the development of my students. I want to know that I did my part to arm
them with the appropriate skills to take on this world and live life to the fullest in whatever ways
they desire. I want to know that I made a difference and I will do so by taking into consideration
all of their individual learning needs and always believing in each and every one.

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

References
Berns, Roberta. "Ecology of the Child." Child, family, school, community: socialization and
support. 9th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2013. 16-17. Print.