Understanding and learning about a child's family, culture, and community can help parents, teachers, and other educators learn how they can best help the child develop. 

In today society there are many definitions of what makes a family.

1. 2 Parent Homes (Mother/Father, Father/Father, and Mother/Mother)
2. Divorced parents
3. Single Parents
4. Parent and Step-Parent
5. Extended Family 
6. Foster Care

Even pets are considered family members or apart of the family dynamic! Nothing wrong with loving precious furbabies.

As an Educator it is very important to know a child's cultural values and to make sure you do not offend their culture.  Culture plays a major role in the development of children as the values they form will become a reference for future relationships.

Cultural Differences:

Culture have some of the biggest impact on a child's development. Throughout a young adolescence's life they are taught many different things but the values and religion in ones culture always seem to stick with that child as they continue to age into adulthood. This is very important for educators because almost every student is from a different culture and the teacher has to be ready to adapt to help each student learn the best. One of the most challenging things for a teacher is to communicate to a student who speaks a different language.

Here are 4 tips to help educate a student who struggles to speak the same language (in this case English).

1. First you can label things in the room bilingually.
   1. This will help everyone and can be used as a good exercise to teach every student a different language.
2. Use Visuals as much as possible.
   1. Using Visuals allows students to follow along and understand what is being explained much easier.
3. Incorporate Creativity and Learning With Music
   1. This is a fun and entertaining way to teach and communicate a new language to children.
4. Encourage Family Members to Learn the New Language Too.
   1. Learning a new language is very difficult and frustrating at times. So it is always best if a child knows he is not going through it alone. If you can encourage the family to learn with the child and practice at home the child might have a much better time learning the language.

1a example

Community Involvement:

Community connections give children a sense of belonging and they can also help them with their social skills. The communities influence on a child varies from the community wealth, climate, population, and the various cultures within. On average families that live in inner cities have a lower income than families who live in suburb areas. Also Suburbs have more quality schools and public resources such as park, community centers, and libraries.

How your family's Socioeconomic Status (SES) may affect a child’s development:

Children that come from middle and high SES families have the opportunity to enjoy non-essential comforts (going to the movies, showcases, museums, eating out at fancy restaurants, etc.). They also have an advantage to join well equipped schools with teachers who are well diverse and trained in the subjects they teach. There's also access to better resources and health care.

Children that come from low income families usually will have less resources but they may come a cross other opportunities. Low SES children usually receive an abundant of emotional support, which in turn allows them to be more independent with their free time, allowing them to manage their freedom creatively.  Family support is the number one defender from cultural adversity and the massive differences in SES. There are numerous of programs available with resources applicable to ease burdens.