An Investigation of How Culture Shapes Curriculum in Early Care and Education Programs on a Native American Indian Reservation

Abstract

This article investigates how culture shapes instruction in three early care and education programs on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Interviews with eight early childhood teachers as well as classroom observations were conducted. The investigation is framed by the following research question: How does the culture of the family and community shape curriculum? Data analysis suggested that ongoing communication with parents and community about teaching within a culturally relevant context, building a sense of belongingness and community through ritual, and respecting children, families, and community were essential to defining the Native American Indian culture within these early learning programs.

Challenges for Rural Native American Students With Disabilities During COVID-19

“…Educators can print these lessons and provide them to families. When creating a curriculum for Native American students, educators can show respect to families and the community they serve and foster a sense of belonging by involving tribal community members in the curriculum/lesson development (Gilliard & Moore, 2007). Therefore, educators should first consult with Native American families and community members they serve when designing a lesson or curriculum.…”

Using Indigenous Educational Research to Transform Mainstream Education: A Guide for P–12 School Leaders

“…One such study, conducted by Gilliard and Moore (2007), investigates how culture shapes school curriculum on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Because a large portion of the US teacher workforce is of European American descent, Native children and other racial and ethnic minorities experience challenges in establishing a relevant connection between the culture of the school and the culture of their family and community.…”

Success from the voices of educators

“…One study describes the immigrant's cultural experience in parent-teacher experience as follows and the problem is echoed in several other articles (Hu, 2008;Gilliard & Moore, 2007;Pfeifer & Polek, 2007) about other immigration groups and minorities.…”

“…Coming from a separate culture and community from the school's or perceiving their culture as separate, some minority populations perpetuate separation through being loath to join in school activities. School reform efforts must focus on home lives in addition to school lives (Hu, 2008;Gilliard & Moore, 2007;Pfeifer & Polek, 2007).…”

“…So, the parents are really involved." (Gilliard & Moore, 2007) In considering reform efforts in an era of testing, relationships, community building, and culture must be embraced in order to succeed according to the literature. The literature suggests that teachers' voices may explain success in part as the way that teachers relate to students and build community within their culture.…”