Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/learning-to-see-across-a-cultural-gap-developing-a-shared-vision-of-quality-child-care/5009765/
I had a strong opinion of parents as a preschool teacher and later as a child care director. I knew what was good for children; and if a parent had ideas that conflicted with mine, I considered that parent to be wrong. My ideas weren't mine alone, of course. I stood for quality care. I was a professional!I was reminded of my younger self when a student of mine, a toddler teacher in a child care program, arrived in my theory class one night with a burning issue.
"What should I do about a grandmother who insists on spoiling her granddaughter by doing everything for her?"
The class listened as she told her horror story of how the grandmother carried the child everywhere, spoon fed, and babied her in every way possible. The worst part was that the child spent a good deal of time with the grandmother, who lived in the home and spent more time with the child than the parents who both worked long hours.
You may have guessed by now that the family was from another country.
The students all agreed that the grandmother was wrong and needed to learn about the importance of teaching children ...