Bridging Cultural Traditions with Professional Guidance on Early Childhood Development

Where should we turn if we think our child’s development might not be on track? For example, our toddler isn’t saying as many words as other kids her age? Or, our one-year-old isn’t sleeping through the night? Or perhaps our three-year-old is aggressive with other kids? And what if our parents or other family members tell us one thing, based on their cultural traditions and beliefs, and our healthcare provider or an early childhood professional suggests something else? This is a common dilemma. But this week’s Mom Enough guest, Zang Vang-Lee, brings wisdom on how to bridge those two worlds, based on her own experience as a Hmong mother of three and an experienced early childhood professional with a Masters of Education from the University of Minnesota.   Zang speaks with grace and respect about her own parents’ more relaxed approach -- “He’ll do it when he’s ready” -- compared to professional encouragement to take a child in for early childhood screening. She tells how a shaman helped her family get through a rough time with an unconsolable infant, as well as how her whole family came together around a wise decision to seek professional help for another challenge. Most of all, Zang explains and exemplifies how important it is for early childhood professionals to do all they can to understand a family’s culture and history, build a relationship of trust, and listen carefully in order to co-create a plan that addresses the needs and strengths of the child and the whole family. Marti & Erin thank Help Me Grow for their sponsorship of this informative and inspiring discussion with Zang Vang-Lee, as well as their long-time supporting partnership with Mom Enough.   WHAT CULTURAL  BACKGROUND OR FAMILY HISTORY FACTORS HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN YOUR PARENTING? How does your cultural background or history shape the way you think about early child development? To what extent do you and the previous generation in your family hold the same beliefs, and does that pose a dilemma when you are deciding how to handle a difficult parenting situation? Where do you turn for information that you can trust to help you figure out the best next step for your child and you? Visit the Help Me Grow website to see how their carefully developed resources can help you learn more about child development and where to go if you are concerned about one of your children.   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CULTURAL TRADITIONS, HMONG CULTURE, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT? ❉ HMONG EARLY CHILDHOOD COALITION. A grassroots community organization, the HECC seeks to ensure all Hmong families and children have what they need to succeed and thrive, including access to early childhood education, translated and up-to-date information, and advocacy.   ❉ HMONG CULTURAL CENTER. Through art and education, the Hmong Cultural Center promotes positive race relations in the Twin Cities. A Minnesota non-profit, the HCC provides resources and focuses on sustaining and teaching about Hmong culture.    ❉ HMONG MUSEUM. Check out this museum, which is preserving Hmong culture, history, and arts and educating others about this important culture.   ❉