Introduction
For years have near total strangers pinched your cheeks, given you uncommonly long hugs, shared their unwanted and outdated clothing, and
discussed your physical development in embarrassing detail over dinner? Sounds like you might be part of a family. Have you been invited to weddings of people
who share your last name but you’ve never met? Have you sat through a detailed “no holds barred’’ discussion of the birth of your cousin’s baby. (The same cousin
who kissed you on your sixth birthday and since then you’ve been the ‘kissing cousins.’) That sounds like you‘ve got bad case of “the family.” Maybe after a recent
family reunion, you have wondered how you might become invisible to that group you call family? Unfortunately invisibility is not likely to happen anytime soon. One
thing about families is certain. We are all a part of one! As Early Childhood Educators we work with children and families daily. It is worth considering what it means
to be called a family. What does a family look like? How do we define family? Why might the definition matter?
Task
You and your group of classmates will pretend you are the the staff at Families First Child Care Center. Together you are reviewing the parent
policy manual in order to better serve the children in your care. Not only will you revise policies, you will be presenting them to parents at the Annual General
Meeting. One of the first policies under revision relates to how your team supports families. As the team supervisor, you are worried this policy may be
obsolete. You are also aware of the need for your staff to be informed of current topics related to families in order to effectively work to revise this policy.
Process
To prepare for the policy revision meetings you will:
- Individually prepare your own written definition of family. (Each team member) This can be done on looseleaf or printed off your device but please keep these individual and make sure your name is at the top off each of these when you hand them in. Please do no research before creating your individual definitions. Work from what's in your mind right now. Once each group member has completed this step, discuss your individual definitions with one another. Where are they similar or different? What do you appreciate from other's definitions? What might you add to yours? (or perhaps leave out?)
- Explore topics related to the changes in the Canadian family over the last century. Use the following web resources:
http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-sa/98-312-x/98-312-x2011003_1-eng.cfm
(In this second resource, the website will direct you to click on the link for an archived article)
- After your research, work as a group to brainstorm a list of the milestones which have dramatically changed the shape of the Canadian family. You will be handing this in on September 10/15 with your personal family definitons.
- Explore “current versions” of the Canadian family. Start by visiting the Vanier Institute at:
While on the Vanier Institute Website, search through the topics available to review. Read, share and discuss 4-5 resources about families that are of interest to your
group members.
You can also try these two specific links:
OR
http://www.vanierinstitute.ca/modules/news/newsitem.php?ItemId=475
Finally, find the Defition of Family the Vanier Institute provides on their website. Compare and contrast your original definition(s) of family with the
Vanier Institute’s definition.
Now you are ready to create a definition of a family to act as the foundation of your “support families” policy. After writing the revised definition, you will present it to
parents. You will present your new Definition of Family to the parents at the Annual General Meeting. (In class on September 10/15). To do this you will create
a brief and concise 4-5 slide power point presentation.
The presentation must include:
- The team’s newly created definition of family.
- Why it is important to define families?
- How all families that use the center (or may use it in the future) are included in, and benefit from, this new definition?
- What are the implications of being excluded from a definition of family within the center? Within society?
Evaluation
Evaluation:
Please use the rubric as a tool to prepare both your presentation and instructor package for the due date on Sept 10/15 in class.
Your paper package for your instructor should include individual family definitions with team members name at the top. The list of historical milestones your group has created.
A paper copy of the slideshow. (Unless you send your instructor the powerpoint BEFORE class).
A hard copy of the rubric for marking your presentation. Your mark on this assignment will be out of 20.
|
Criterion |
Beginning 1 Mark |
Developing 2 marks |
Accomplished 3 marks |
Exemplary 4 marks |
Score |
|
Tasks completed |
Presentation reflects no evidence of tasks accomplished in this webquest |
Presentation indicates limited evidence of completing tasks in this webquest |
Presentation indicates evidence of a variety of tasks completed or near completion in this webquest |
Details of the presentation suggest all tasks were completed in this webquest |
|
|
Research and Content |
Presentation does not reflect the collectionof any information that relates to the topic |
Presentation reflects very little information--some relates to the topic |
Presentation reflects some basic information-most relates to the topic |
Presentation reflects a great deal of the information--all relates to the topic |
|
|
Organization of Information |
Presentation lacks any clarity or organization |
Presentation is confusing or unclear in a number of areas |
Although there is overall organization a few minor areas require clarity |
Well thought out, organized, and clearly presented |
|
|
Implications & Benefits |
No indication the team understands the benefits or implications of a definition of family |
A subtle, brief or superficial discussion of the benefits & implications has been presented |
The team has presented clear benefits & implications of the definition of family with a few minor errors or omissions |
A clear, concise understanding of the implications and benefits is indicated within the presentation |
|
|
Presentation Style Mark value multiplied by .5 |
Appear uncomfortable, unprepared, unable to clarify info/answer questions from the audience |
Somewhat prepared and comfortable with presenting. Some hesitation or difficulty with questions |
Well prepared overall with occasional minor difficulties during the presentation. |
No difficulties with presenting. Clear, well articulated no hesitation, well thought out answers to questions. |
X.5 = |
|
Package for Instuctor
Mark value multiplied by .5 |
Inadequate package for instructor AND presentation lacks professional appearance and effort |
Package for instructor missing multiple pieces and/or multiple aerrors in presentation. (5-9)
|
Not more than one item missing from instructor package OR occasional errors in spelling/grammar. Not more than 5
|
Complete package for instructor in class before presentation No spelling/grammar errors in presentation |
X .5 = |
Conclusion
Considering the family in a historical context allows us to view the changes family has undergone in light of societal norms and the "laws of the day". By looking at
the past, we can infer what might impact the family now and in the future. We have seen families benefit from being included in a definition of families while others
are stigmatized by not fitting “the mold”.
Moving forward in your ECE career, the inclusion of diverse groups in your definition of families not only serves the children in your care but also the society at large.
Inclusion breeds acceptance within the daycare center walls and beyond. Being an Early Childhood Educator requires you to challenge your attitudes and beliefs
in an effort to overcome stereotypes and stigmas which may hinder the relationships you could develop with the families you serve.