Identity
This refers to how a person understands who they are and where they belong.
What is identity?
This approach emphasizes lifelong learning, curiosity, and respect for others’ lived experiences.
What is cultural humility?
Entering foster care can disrupt a child’s connection to these important parts of identity such as traditions, language, and community.
What is culture?
If a teacher repeatedly mispronounces a youth’s name, foster parents can support the child by doing this.
What is advocating for correct pronunciation?
This activity helps youth explore parts of themselves such as culture, strengths, family, and dreams.
What is identity mapping?
These are two important parts of identity that include traditions, beliefs, and heritage.
What are culture and ethnicity?
Cultural humility encourages caregivers to do this regularly to understand their own beliefs and biases.
What is self-reflection?
When children move between homes, they may lose connection to family traditions and cultural practices. This is called a disruption of ______.
What is cultural continuity?
When a child experiences discrimination or bias, caregivers should first do this.
What is validate the child’s feelings?
These items in the home help children see themselves represented in the world.
What are books, toys, and media with diverse representation?
Children often ask questions like “Who am I?” and “Where do I belong?” when they are developing this.
What is identity development?
Unlike cultural competence, cultural humility recognizes that caregivers cannot fully master someone else’s ______.
What is culture?
Maintaining photos, stories, and safe communication with relatives helps preserve this connection.
What is connection to biological family?
Encouraging schools to include diverse cultures and perspectives is an example of this.
What is advocacy?
Preparing traditional dishes from a child’s culture is one way to support this part of identity.
What is cultural heritage?
These experiences help children build identity by providing traditions, stories, and cultural practices.
What are family and community experiences?
Cultural humility encourages caregivers to listen to these when learning about a child’s experiences.
What are lived experiences?
Research shows that children with strong cultural identity often experience higher levels of this positive mental health outcome.
What is self-esteem or resilience?
Helping youth feel respected and valued for who they are strengthens their sense of this.
What is belonging?
Connecting youth with mentors from similar backgrounds strengthens this protective factor.
What is cultural identity or belonging?
When children lose connection to language, traditions, and family history after entering foster care, they may experience this disruption in their development.
What is identity disruption (or loss of cultural identity)?
Cultural humility requires caregivers to recognize these unconscious beliefs that can influence how they understand and respond to children from different backgrounds.
What are implicit biases?
Frequent placement changes can make youth feel disconnected from culture, community, and family, weakening this critical protective factor for emotional wellbeing.
What is a sense of belonging?
When caregivers challenge discriminatory comments, ensure schools respect cultural identity, and speak up for youth experiencing bias, they are practicing this important role.
What is advocacy for the child (or being an advocate)?
Connecting youth with community mentors, cultural organizations, and role models from similar backgrounds helps strengthen this important part of identity development.
What is cultural pride or cultural identity?