Diverging Journeys:Childhood, Privilege, and the Ecological Model
Created by Melissa Steinke
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Diverging Journeys:Childhood, Privilege, and the Ecological Model
In early childhood education, understanding the complex interplay between a child’s environment and their development is critical for fostering inclusive, responsive, and culturally sustaining practices. Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model provides a comprehensive framework for examining how the “changing properties of the immediate settings in which... [a child] lives” (Bronfenbrenner, 1992, p. 107) influence their growth and development over time, as they transition between spaces, and within the historical context in which they live (Hayes et al., 2023). This model suggests that a child’s development is shaped by five nested environmental systems - the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem - which dynamically interact to influence the child's experiences and opportunities (Hayes et al., 2023).
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(Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, 2024)
Diverging Journeys:Childhood, Privilege, and the Ecological Model
The following branching scenarios explore key factors such as race, socioeconomic status, dominant language, and parental education, illustrating how each child’s development is influenced by their unique contexts. These scenarios are intended to demonstrate how intersecting identities affect a child’s developmental experiences. I acknowledge that race, language, socioeconomic status, and similar factors neither define a person nor predict their outcomes; the following is for illustrative purposes only. I further recognize that many other factors have not been included in this exemplar, including (but not limited to) gender, religion, disability, neurodiversity, family structure, and sexual orientation.
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(Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, 2024)
where yould you like to be born?
Country in Conflict
Developing Nation
Canada(large urban centre)
pLACE OF bIRTH: CANADA
You have been born in a major city in Canada. You will have immediate access to services such as public healthcare, a well-funded school system, libraries, social programs, and perhaps even recreational activities! You have two loving parents who are excited about welcoming their first child into the world. Your parents are:
White
(Husayno, 2014)
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour)
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dominant Race
As a white child, you have been born into the racial majority (approx. 70%) in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2022). You will likely benefit from societal privilege, which includes easier access to education, jobs, and more. The first language you learn is English, which is the dominant language in Canada. This means you will easily communicate with teachers, friends, and service providers such as doctors, government representatives, and first responders. Your parental education level is:
A University Degree
No Post Secondary
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university degree
Your parents both hold university degrees, providing them with the knowledge and resources to actively engage in your education. They are likely familiar with how the education system works and can advocate for you effectively. Learning in school will come naturally, and you’ll have easy access to educational resources in your primary language, English! This will give you an advantage when it comes to academic success and social integration. You will grow up in a home filled with books and learning materials, and your parents will support you in pursuing higher education.
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jobs & wages
Given their post-secondary education, both your parents hold well-paying jobs and are financially secure. They own a house in a safe neighbourhood and the fridge is always fully stocked. Your family can afford extracurricular activities (such as dance or hockey), summer and winter vacations, and perhaps even private school if desired.
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child care
Your parents have the means to enroll you in a high-quality, early learning and childcare centre with experienced and educated caregivers. This well-resourced centre values family-centred practice and nature-based play. All the playrooms have enhanced ratios, as centre leadership understands the benefits of continuity of care and fostering deep relationships between children, educators, and families.
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outlook
Your experiences have been significantly shaped by the privileges you inherited from your family’s race, socioeconomic status, and access to resources. From early childhood, you will benefit from societal systems that often favour your identity, providing you with easier access to quality education, healthcare, and recreational activities (Collins, 2018). Your identity as a white child allows you to move through these systems with fewer barriers, as you are less likely to encounter systemic racism or cultural marginalization. However, this privilege may also distance you from understanding the systemic barriers faced by others. The chronosystem, or changes over time, will likely reinforce this advantage as generational wealth, educational opportunities, and social capital accumulate across your life. Your development will reflect how privilege - embedded within various layers of the ecological model - can support thriving while others must navigate additional obstacles (Greenberg, 2017).
For Further Reflection
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no post secondary degree
Your parents graduated from high school but did not attend university or college. They can help you with your homework and provide some school support, but navigating complex educational systems might be challenging for them. They will encourage you to continue your education but have limited knowledge of the pathways to post-secondary education or the resources to support it.
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jobs & wages
Your parents work in stable but mid-range wage jobs. As they are white, they make around 29% more than their raciliazed peers (Block et al., 2019). They work long hours and sometimes find it hard to spend quality time with you.
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jobs & wages
Your family is financially stable, but money isn’t limitless. While they provide for all your basic needs, they may not be able to afford many extras, such as luxurious vacations or access to high-cost extracurricular activities. At times, there may be financial trade-offs and your parents will need to budget carefully.
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child care
You childcare centre has larger playroom sizes with high ratios and fewer resources; the focus may be more on supervision than on individualized learning experiences. However, you are in a safe environment, the educators care about you, and you have opportunities to play and interact with peers.
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outlook
Your experiences will be shaped by both privileges and financial barriers. Although your family has limited economic resources within the microsystem, you benefit from strong relational supports, including positive connections between your family and your childcare setting. This plays a key role in your resilience. Your parents work hard to provide for you, and their values of perseverance and family solidarity along with support from extended family and community networks, provide important protective factors. Within the macrosystem, your alignment with the dominant racial group reduces the likelihood of encountering racism as an additional barrier.
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outlook
Your experiences will be shaped by both privileges and financial barriers. Although your family has limited economic resources within the microsystem, you benefit from strong relational supports, including positive connections between your family and your childcare setting. This plays a key role in your resilience. Your parents work hard to provide for you, and their values of perseverance and family solidarity along with support from extended family and community networks, provide important protective factors. Within the macrosystem, your alignment with the dominant racial group reduces the likelihood of encountering racism as an additional barrier.
For Further Reflection
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Black, indigenous, person of colour (bipoc)
As a BIPOC child, you may experience challenges that come with being part of a racial minority. Your family may face systemic racism, and you may encounteror microagressions or discrimination beginning as a young child and continuing throughout your life. The first language you learn is English, which is the dominant language in Canada. This means you will easily communicate with teachers, your friends, and service providers such as doctors, government representatives, and first responders. Your parental education level:
A University Degree
No Formal Education
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University degree
Your parents both hold university degrees. They have a strong understanding of the educational system and can support your academic journey. They are likely to advocate for your success and provide you with resources to thrive. Your parents' employment:
Stable, Well-Paying Jobs
Stable but Underpaid Jobs
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jobs & wages
Although your parents work in stable, well-paying jobs, systemic racism and employment discrimination mean they still earn around 29% less than their non-racialized peers (Block et al., 2019). They have access to health benefits, paid leave, and flexible work schedules, enabling them to spend time with you.
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child care
Your parents enroll you in a high-quality, early learning and childcare centre with experienced and educated caregivers. This well-resourced centre values family-centred practice and nature-based play. All the playrooms have enhanced ratios, as centre leadership understands the benefits of continuity of care and fostering deep relationships between children and educators.
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child care
Your parents enroll you in a high-quality, early learning and childcare centre with experienced and educated caregivers. This well-resourced centre values family-centred practice and nature-based play. All the playrooms have enhanced ratios, as centre leadership understands the benefits of continuity of care and fostering deep relationships between children and educators. However, as one of the few BIPOC children, you may experience subtle forms of exclusion or microaggressions from peers or educators who may not understand your cultural background. These experiences may cause you to feel isolated.
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outlook
Your experiences will be shaped by both privileges and systemic barriers. While your family’s financial stability within the microsystem provides access to quality education, healthcare, and enriching opportunities, your racial identity influences how you move through broader systems. Within the macrosystem and exosystem, you may encounter systemic racism, microaggressions, and cultural biases that your white peers are less likely to face. These subtle but persistent barriers can impact your sense of belonging, emotional well-being even in otherwise supportive environments. Positive connections between your family and educational settings may help buffer these experiences by providing advocacy and culturally responsive support. With strong support, you may develop resiliency the tools needed to navigate these challenges and succeed despite systemic inequities.
For Further Reflection
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No formal education
Your parents did not complete high school, which limits their ability to help with school work. They may not be familiar with aspects of the school system, so you will often need to navigate it on your own. However, they bring other funds of knowledge, which they will pass on to you.
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jobs & wages
Your parents make around 29% less than their non-racialized peers (Block, 2019). Working in low-wage jobs, they have inconsistent hours and no benefits. They often have to work long shifts, making it difficult to spend quality time with you.
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jobs & wages
Your parents make around 29% less than their non-racialized peers (Block, 2019). Working in low-wage jobs, they have inconsistent hours and no benefits. They often have to work long shifts, making it difficult to spend quality time with you.
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jobs & wages
Like many racialized groups in Canada, your family lives in poverty (Government of Canada, 2023). You face challenges such as food insecurity, housing instability, and limited access to healthcare. This financial instability creates stress at home, impacting your emotional and social well-being.
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child care
Your family relies on relatives and community members for childcare. While you are usually in a loving environment, you miss out on semi-structured opportunities to play, explore, and learn alongside other children your age.
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outlook
Your experiences are significantly influenced by systemic barriers tied to your family’s race, socioeconomic status, and limited access to resources. Your racial identity also means you are more likely to experience systemic racism and cultural marginalization, affecting how you and your family interact with institutions like schools, healthcare, and various other social systems. These inequities within the macrosystem and exosystem will continue to shape your opportunities compared to your white peers who benefit from societal privilege. Over time, these experiences may influence your resilience, sense of belonging, and worldview as you grow within and across different contexts.
For Further Reflection
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pLACE OF bIRTH: Country in Conflict
You have been born in an unstable, war-torn region. Access to education and healthcare have been disrupted and your basic needs are just being met. You have two loving parents and a strong network of extended family and community. Your parents are excited about the birth of their first child however they are also feeling uncertain about your future and worried about your safety. Your parents socioeconomic status is:
Middle to High Socioeconomic Status
(Munna, n.d.)
Low Socioeconomic Status
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Country in Conflict
Your family is forced to flee persecution, spending three years in a refugee camp before being relocated to Canada. Regardless of your family’s previous socioeconomic status, the urgency of displacement meant leaving possessions, professional roles, and financial security behind, placing everyone in similar conditions of uncertainty and loss. During this time, access to healthcare and safe housing is limited, and educational supports are unavailable. The emotional and physical toll of the time spent in the refugee camp is compounded by the trauma of experiences in your home country (de Vos et al., 2022). Your parents speak:
(Munna, n.d.)
Only their Heritage Language
English and their Heritage Language
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heritage language
Upon arriving in Canada, your family’s limited English proficiency presents barriers to communication, making it challenging to navigate essential services. With limited resources for transportation and document translation, applying for essentials like a Social Insurance Number, a provincial health card, and a bank account could take weeks, if not months (de Vos, 2022). With the shortage of family doctors, securing one is difficult, and due to high housing costs, your family relies on temporary government-provided housing (Government of Canada, 2024). Your parents feel that simply staying afloat is a daily challenge. Adjusting to this new cultural environment, they experience social exclusion. This is compounded by systemic discrimination within the very systems they turn to for support, contributing to a sense of feeling “lesser than,” and making it hard to envision a way forward (de Vos et al., 2022). Your parents education level:
University Degree
No Formal Education
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english & heritage language
Arriving in Canada, your family’s ability to speak some English makes navigating essential services easier, allowing your parents to communicate more effectively. They face fewer obstacles with language, easing the process of securing essentials like a Social Insurance Number, provincial health card, and opening a bank account. This ability also improves their access to stable housing options and understanding of settlement services. However, despite their bilingualism, challenges persist and simply staying afloat remains a daily challenge. Adjusting to this new cultural environment, they experience social exclusion, which is often systemic and intersectional for newcomers. This is compounded by discrimination within the very systems they turn to for support, contributing to a sense of feeling “lesser than,” and making it hard to envision a way forward. (de Vos et al., 2022, p. 30). Your parent's education level:
University Degree
No Formal Education
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University degree
Despite facing numerous challenges, your parents access supports through a settlement program and complete federally funded Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada classes (Government of Canada, 2024). These classes help them improve their English proficiency, boosting their confidence and ability to navigate daily tasks.
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jobs & wages
Although your parents hold university degrees, they face significant systemic barriers to employment. Their credentials are not recognized in Canada and limited knowledge of Canadian systems make daily tasks, like completing job applications or understanding workplace norms, challenging and time-consuming (Business Council of Alberta, 2024). Employers may also be reluctant to hire them based on appearance or perceived differences (Jansen-Nicorescu, n.d.). As a result, they are forced to accept jobs well below their qualification level with low-wage, unpredictable hours, few benefits, and limited job security, creating ongoing financial instability.
You are referred to a Multicultural Health Brokers
You do not Receive a Referral
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jobs & wages
Your parents face additional hurdles in securing stable employment. The language barrier and limited knowledge of Canadian systems make daily tasks, like completing job applications or understanding workplace norms, challenging and time-consuming (Business Council of Alberta, 2024). In addition, many employers seem reluctant to hire them based on appearance or perceived differences (Jansen-Nicorescu, n.d.). As a result, your parents must take low-wage, temporary positions that often come with unpredictable hours, no benefits, and limited job security, further contributing to financial instability and making it difficult to plan for the future.
You are referred to a Multicultural Health Brokers
You do not Receive a Referral
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jobs & wages
Your parents face additional hurdles in securing stable employment. Although they speak English, limited familiarity with Canadian systems and workplace expectations makes tasks such as completing job applications or navigating hiring processes challenging and time-consuming (Business Council of Alberta, 2024). In addition, employers may be reluctant to hire them based on appearance or perceived differences (Jansen-Nicorescu, n.d.). As a result, your parents must accept low-wage, temporary positions that often come with unpredictable hours, few benefits, and limited job security, contributing to financial instability and making it difficult to plan for the future.
You are referred to a Multicultural Health Brokers
You do not Receive a Referral
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jobs & wages
Despite their qualifications, your parents struggle to secure employment in their fields. Employers may undervalue international education or hesitate based on accent, appearance, or unfamiliarity with foreign credentials (Jansen-Nicorescu, n.d.). As a result, they accept jobs well below their level of training to support the family. There work often involve long hours on changing shifts with limited job security, leaving little time or energy to rebuild their professional careers. Financial stability improves gradually, but the loss of professional identity and status creates stress at home.
You are referred to a Multicultural Health Brokers
You do not Receive a Referral
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multicultural health broker
Your family is referred to a non-profit organization and connected with a cultural broker whose goal is to ensure culturally relevant support (Massing et al., 2013). With their help, your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your unique cultural background.
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multicultural health broker
Your family’s involvement is encouraged and supported in an environment that values their heritage and appreciates their cultural and linguistic diversity (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Set within a practice of relationships, the educators foster a responsive environment that promotes your sense of belonging and allows you to play and learn in a space that reflects your identity and family values, positively impacting your holistic development.
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outlook
As a child born into a country of conflict and relocated to Canada after spending years in a refugee camp, your experiences are deeply shaped by trauma and resilience. In your microsystem, you witness your parents adapting to a new culture, language, and work environment while also processing their own losses and uncertainty. These stressors can affect daily routines and emotional climate, yet the presence of loving caregivers remains a critical protective factor. The support of a cultural broker and access to culturally sustaining childcare provides a foundation that honours your family’s cultural identity, values, and knowledge which helps to buffer the effects of the systemic barriers (de Vos, 2022). Within the exosystem, settlement services and community organizations provide resources that your family could not access alone, helping to reduce barriers related to language, employment, and system navigation. These positive influences foster a strong sense of belonging, offering you a foundation from which to thrive despite the challenges of resettlement.
For Further Reflection
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multicultural health broker
Your family is referred to a non-profit organization and connected with a cultural broker whose goal is to ensure culturally relevant support (Massing et al., 2013). With their help, your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your unique cultural background.
Next
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multicultural health broker
Your family’s involvement is encouraged and supported in an environment that values their heritage and appreciates their cultural and linguistic diversity (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Set within a practice of relationships, the educators foster a responsive environment that promotes your sense of belonging and allows you to play and learn in a space that reflects your identity and family values, positively impacting your holistic development.
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outlook
As a child born into a country of conflict and relocated to Canada after spending years in a refugee camp, your experiences are deeply shaped by trauma and resilience. In your microsystem, you witness your parents adapting to a new culture, language, and work environment while also processing their own losses and uncertainty. These stressors can affect daily routines and emotional climate, yet the presence of loving caregivers remains a critical protective factor. The support of a cultural broker and access to culturally sustaining childcare provides a foundation that honours your family’s cultural identity, values, and knowledge which helps to buffer the effects of the systemic barriers (de Vos, 2022). Within the exosystem, settlement services and community organizations provide resources that your family could not access alone, helping to reduce barriers related to language, employment, and system navigation. These positive influences foster a strong sense of belonging, offering you a foundation from which to thrive despite the challenges of resettlement.
For Further Reflection
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multicultural health broker
Your family is referred to a non-profit organization and connected with a cultural broker whose goal is to ensure culturally relevant support (Massing et al., 2013). With their help, your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your unique cultural background.
Next
Back
multicultural health broker
Your family’s involvement is encouraged and supported in an environment that values their heritage and appreciates their cultural and linguistic diversity (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Set within a practice of relationships, the educators foster a responsive environment that promotes your sense of belonging and allows you to play and learn in a space that reflects your identity and family values, positively impacting your holistic development.
Next
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outlook
As a child born into a country of conflict and relocated to Canada after spending years in a refugee camp, your experiences are deeply shaped by trauma and resilience. In your microsystem, you witness your parents adapting to a new culture, language, and work environment while also processing their own losses and uncertainty. These stressors can affect daily routines and emotional climate, yet the presence of loving caregivers remains a critical protective factor. The support of a cultural broker and access to culturally sustaining childcare provides a foundation that honours your family’s cultural identity, values, and knowledge which helps to buffer the effects of the systemic barriers (de Vos, 2022). Within the exosystem, settlement services and community organizations provide resources that your family could not access alone, helping to reduce barriers related to language, employment, and system navigation. These positive influences foster a strong sense of belonging, offering you a foundation from which to thrive despite the challenges of resettlement.
For Further Reflection
Back
multicultural health broker
Your family is referred to a non-profit organization and connected with a cultural broker whose goal is to ensure culturally relevant support (Massing et al., 2013). With their help, your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your unique cultural background.
Next
Back
multicultural health broker
Your family’s involvement is encouraged and supported in an environment that values their heritage and appreciates their cultural and linguistic diversity (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Set within a practice of relationships, the educators foster a responsive environment that promotes your sense of belonging and allows you to play and learn in a space that reflects your identity and family values, positively impacting your holistic development.
Next
Back
outlook
As a child born into a country of conflict and relocated to Canada after spending years in a refugee camp, your experiences are deeply shaped by trauma and resilience. In your microsystem, you witness your parents adapting to a new culture, language, and work environment while also processing their own losses and uncertainty. These stressors can affect daily routines and emotional climate, yet the presence of loving caregivers remains a critical protective factor. The support of a cultural broker and access to culturally sustaining childcare provides a foundation that honours your family’s cultural identity, values, and knowledge which helps to buffer the effects of the systemic barriers (de Vos, 2022). Within the exosystem, settlement services and community organizations provide resources that your family could not access alone, helping to reduce barriers related to language, employment, and system navigation. These positive influences foster a strong sense of belonging, offering you a foundation from which to thrive despite the challenges of resettlement.
For Further Reflection
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child care
Without a cultural broker to connect them to community resources, your parents are unaware of programs designed to support newcomers. Childcare did not exist in your home country and, though highly educated, navigating these services independently leads to isolation and duress (Massing et al., 2020). With limited support, your family relies on the closest childcare centre to your home. The educators seem upset with your parents when they try to spend time with you in the room. They do not want them helping you with tasks as they think you should be more independent (de Vos et al., 2022). You are very easily upset by loud noises; the educators do not understand your previous traumas and are annoyed by your behaviour. In addition, some of the children tease you for not speaking English and the educators make no effort to learn any terms in your heritage language to support your transition (de Vos et al., 2022).
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child care
Without a cultural broker to connect them to community resources, your parents are unaware of programs designed to support newcomers. Childcare did not exist in your home country and your family is unsure how to navigate these systems (de Vos et al., 2022). With limited support, your family relies on the closest childcare centre to your home. The educators seem upset with your parents when they try to spend time with you in the room. They do not want them helping you with tasks as they think you should be more independent (de Vos et al., 2022). You are very easily upset by loud noises; the educators do not understand your previous traumas and are annoyed by your behaviour. In addition, some of the children tease you for not speaking English and the educators make no effort to learn any terms in your heritage language to support your transition (de Vos et al., 2022).
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outlook
Your experiences reflect both the struggles of systemic exclusion for those who are culturally and linguistally diverse (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019) and the challenges of resettling with limited supports for cultural preservation. In your microsystem, daily environments may not reflect your language, traditions, or experiences, creating feelings of isolation and confusion. Without a culturally responsive environment, you experience gradual language and cultural loss, which "leads to a devaluation of worth and a negative sense of identity" (p. 429) and belonging. Weak connections between home and educational settings within the mesosystem further limit opportunities for mutual understanding. When educators are unfamiliar with your background or unable to communicate effectively with your family, important knowledge about your needs, strengths, and experiences may be overlooked impacting your ability to develop a sense of identity and belonging, impacting your resilience (de Vos, 2022). These elements create a challenging developmental pathway, and place "refugee cultures at risk for largely irreversible extinction" (Strekalova-Hughes & Wang, 2019, p. 7).
For Further Reflection
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outlook
Your experiences reflect both the struggles of systemic exclusion for those who are culturally and linguistally diverse (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019) and the challenges of resettling with limited supports for cultural preservation. In your microsystem, daily environments may not reflect your language, traditions, or experiences, creating feelings of isolation and confusion. Without a culturally responsive environment, you experience gradual language and cultural loss, which "leads to a devaluation of worth and a negative sense of identity" (p. 429) and belonging. Weak connections between home and educational settings within the mesosystem further limit opportunities for mutual understanding. When educators are unfamiliar with your background or unable to communicate effectively with your family, important knowledge about your needs, strengths, and experiences may be overlooked impacting your ability to develop a sense of identity and belonging, impacting your resilience (de Vos, 2022). These elements create a challenging developmental pathway, and place "refugee cultures at risk for largely irreversible extinction" (Strekalova-Hughes & Wang, 2019, p. 7).
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pLACE OF bIRTH: Developing Nation
You have been born in a country with limited infrastructure, underfunded public services, and restricted access to quality education and healthcare. You live in a multi-generational home and have two loving parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are excited for your birth. You have strong cultural ties to your community. Your family's socioeconomic status is:
Middle to High Socioeconomic Status
(Countries groups by United Nations 2017)
Low Socioeconomic Status
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Middle to High Socioeconomic Status
Your parents are respected professionals in your heritage country, but despite their education and skills, economic instability, limited career advancement, and concerns about long-term prospects make them question what the future will hold for you. They believe that immigrating will offer greater stability and they have the financial resources to pursue immigration through formal channels. Your family’s financial situation allows them to navigate the immigration process fairly smoothly, accessing legal help and expediting paperwork where possible. After months of research, preparation, paperwork, and uncertainty, your family is approved to move to Canada as immigrants. They sell property, say painful goodbyes to loved ones, and arrive with savings, important documents, and high hopes. Migration often involves leaving behind extended family networks and social supports, creating both opportunity and loss at the same time (Massing et al., 2013). Although you leave behind a strong support network, your parents are confident that the sacrifice will create a better life for you.
(Countries groups by United Nations 2017)
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Low Socioeconomic Status
Your parents work hard to provide for your family, but opportunities in your home country are limited. Economic instability, lack of secure employment, and restricted access to education and healthcare make it difficult to imagine a stable future. Unlike wealthier families, your parents do not have the financial resources to pursue formal immigration pathways. When an opportunity arises to move to Canada through extended family connections, your parents decide to take the risk and move to Canada as immigrants. The process is uncertain and stressful. They are unable to access legal assistance or professional guidance, and much of the paperwork is confusing and difficult to complete (de Vos, 2022).. To afford travel costs, your family sells most of your belongings and borrows money from relatives. Your family faces significant challenges during the immigration process due to limited financial resources.
(Countries groups by United Nations 2017)
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Arrival Conditions (High SES)
Your parents have pre-arranged a stable living arrangements in a small but comfortable home in a more diverse neighbourhood, where community networks and support services are accessible. In the early “surviving” stage of settlement, your family focuses first on urgent needs such as food, shelter, and orientation to essential systems (de Vos, 2022, p. 13). Alongside other social supports, your family has access to provincial healthcare on arrival (Alberta Health, 2024). Upon arrival, your family quickly realizes that starting over is far more complex than they anticipated (Edmonton Local Immigration Partnership [ELIP], 2025). While starting over is never easy, your family has some savings to cushion the transition. Your parents’ English skills will shape how easily they navigate systems in Canada. Your parents’ English proficiency is:
Intermediate level of English
Proficient in English
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Arrival Conditions (Low SES)
Your family arrives in Canada with limited savings and no pre-arranged housing. Initially, you stay with relatives in a crowded home in a neighbourhood where affordable rent is available but access to services is limited. Although your family is eligible for basic provincial healthcare, navigating registration, transportation, and appointments proves challenging without guidance (Alberta Health, 2024). Financial insecurity, unfamiliar systems, and the loss of community supports contribute to ongoing stress during early settlement (de Vos, 2022). Without savings, every expense such as rent, food, clothing, and transportation, places strain on your family’s budget and securing stable housing, employment, and childcare is difficult without established networks, Canadian work experience, or knowledge of local systems (Edmonton Local Immigration Partnership [ELIP], 2025). Your parents’ English skills will shape how easily they navigate systems in Canada. Your parents’ English proficiency is:
Intermediate level of English
Proficient in English
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Proficient in English - low SES
Your parents’ ability to speak English helps them communicate with service providers and understand basic procedures, which reduces some barriers to settlement. They can complete forms, attend appointments independently, and search for employment without relying heavily on translators. However, language fluency does not eliminate systemic barriers. Limited financial resources and lack of formal education or recognized credentials still restrict opportunities. Without savings or professional networks, your parents must accept jobs quickly to cover basic needs. Your parents accept:
Stable Low-Wage Employment
Multiple Jobs with Long Hours
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Intermediate level of English
Your parents can manage simple conversations but struggle with detailed instructions, official documents, and complex interactions. Navigating services becomes time-consuming and stressful, as misunderstandings lead to delays. They may avoid asking questions out of fear of embarrassment or making mistakes (ELIP, 2025). Language proficiency strongly influences employment outcomes for skilled immigrants, even when education and experience are high (Government of Canada, 2024). Without strong language skills or financial resources, your parents rely heavily on community members for information, limiting their independence.
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Proficient in English - High SES
Upon arriving in Canada, your parents’ strong English language skills eases their ability to navigate essential services. They quickly complete tasks such as applying for healthcare cards, Social Insurance Numbers, and opening a bank account. They are able to communicate confidently with landlords, employers, educators, and government officials and can advocate for your needs with relative ease. Because they understand how to ask questions and seek information, they are able to navigate complex systems more efficiently than many newcomers (ELIP, 2025). However, language fluency does not eliminate systemic barriers. Highly educated immigrants frequently encounter difficulties having their credentials recognized and may experience “deskilling,” meaning employment below their qualifications (Business Council of Alberta, 2024). Your parents’ professional credentials are:
Recognized after assessment
Not recognized
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Intermediate level of English - HIGH SES
Upon arriving in Canada, your family's limited English proficiency creates communication barriers, making it difficult to navigate essential services (ELIP, 2025). Your parents can communicate in everyday situations but struggle with complex conversations, technical vocabulary, and formal documents. Your parents often rely on interpreters or community volunteers to translate important information, which can slow down processes and cause frustration. Although their education and financial resources provide some protection, limited language proficiency is strongly associated with barriers to employment and social integration for newcomer families (Government of Canada, 2024). They may also encounter systemic discrimination related to their visible minority status and international credentials, which can affect both employment opportunities and their sense of belonging. Your parents’ professional credentials are:
Recognized after assessment
Not recognized
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recognized credentials - High SES
After completing credential assessments and licensing requirements, one or both of your parents secure employment in their professional field. Although the process is lengthy, complex, and expensive, their perseverance leads to financial stability (Government of Canada, 2024). Their jobs provide steady income, health benefits, and opportunities for advancement. Your family begins to rebuild a sense of normalcy.
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credentials not recognized - HIGH SES
Despite their qualifications and English fluency, your parents are unable to work in their original professions. Employers require Canadian credentials or additional certification that will take years to obtain (ELIP, 2025). As a result, they accept in lower-paying jobs in industries where their education and skills are undervalued leading to sense of being treated as “lesser than,” making the transition even more challenging than expected (de Vos, 2022). While their jobs provide moderate financial stability, the mismatch between their education and employment, often described as “deskilling,” leads to frustration and loss of professional identity (Business Council of Alberta, 2024).
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recognized credentials - Intermediate english
After completing credential assessments and licensing requirements, one or both of your parents secure employment in their professional field. Because workplace communication involves specialized vocabulary and cultural expectations, they initially rely on written supports, colleagues, and additional language training to succeed. Although the process is demanding, their education and perseverance help them gradually build confidence. Their jobs provide stable income, health benefits, and opportunities for advancement. However, communicating in a second language throughout the workday can be exhausting, and your parents worry about making mistakes or being misunderstood.
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credentials not recognized - Intermediate english
Despite their education and previous professional status, your parents are unable to work in their original field. Employers require Canadian credentials, advanced language proficiency, or additional certification that will take years to obtain (ELIP, 2025). Because complex workplace communication presents an additional barrier, they accept lower-paying jobs that require less formal interaction leading to sense of being treated as “lesser than,” making the transition even more challenging than expected (de Vos, 2022). While these positions provide some financial stability, the long hours, and limited benefits add to family stress. The mismatch between their education and employment, often described as “deskilling,” leads to frustration, reduced confidence, and loss of professional identity (Business Council of Alberta, 2024).
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Stable Low-Wage Employment
Your parents secure steady work with consistent hours but modest pay. While this allows your family to meet basic needs, financial vulnerability remains, especially in areas with high costs of living (Government of Canada, 2024) and there is little money left for savings or unexpected expenses. Affordable housing options are limited, and your family must budget carefully to avoid financial setbacks. Although the work is demanding, predictable schedules allow your parents to maintain routines at home and remain involved in your daily life. Over time, this stability can support your sense of security, belonging and build resilience. even if opportunities for enrichment activities or travel remain limited.
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Multiple Jobs with Long Hours
To cover basic expenses, your parents take on more than one job, often working early mornings, evenings, nights, or weekends. This increases household income but leaves little time for rest, family interaction, or participation in your education and community life. Although your parents are working extremely hard to support the family, fatigue and stress can affect their health and emotional well-being (de Vos, 2022). You spend long periods away from your parents, which reduces your sense of stability and may increase feelings of worry, loneliness, or uncertainty.
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Multiple Jobs with Long Hours
To cover basic expenses, your parents take on more than one job, often working early mornings, evenings, nights, or weekends. This increases household income but leaves little time for rest, family interaction, or participation in your education and community life. Although your parents are working extremely hard to support the family, fatigue and stress can affect their health and emotional well-being (de Vos, 2022). You spend long periods away from your parents, which reduces your sense of stability and may increase feelings of worry, loneliness, or uncertainty.
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child care
Because of waitlists, cost and irregular work schedules, your family relies on informal care provided by relatives and members of your cultural community. This arrangement helps to preserve your heritage language and offers emotional security and continuity during a time of major transition. Early childhood programs are often newcomers’ first point of contact with formal institutions in the host country, shaping access to language, information, and social networks. (Massing et al., 2020). This informal care limits access to structured early learning opportunities and peer interaction with children your age.
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outlook
Your early development is shaped primarily within your family and cultural community, making the microsystem a central source of support. Informal care preserves your home language, traditions, and relationships, providing emotional security during a period of major transition. Strong family bonds and shared cultural practices act as powerful protective factors that support resilience (ELIP, 2025). However, limited participation in formal childcare weakens the mesosystem, reducing opportunities to build connections between home and educational settings. You may have fewer chances to interact regularly with children your own age, practise social skills in group settings, or become familiar with routines that are common in schools. This can make the transition to formal schooling more challenging, as classroom expectations, language use, and social dynamics may feel unfamiliar. You may also have fewer opportunities to access early learning experiences that support language development, problem-solving, and confidence in new environments.
For Further Reflection
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child care
Early childhood programs are often newcomers’ first point of contact with formal institutions in the host country, shaping access to language, information, and social networks. (Massing et al., 2020). Childcare did not exist in your home country and your family is unsure how to navigate these systems (de Vos et al., 2022). With limited support, your family relies on the closest childcare centre to your home. The educators seem upset with your parents when they try to spend time with you in the room. They do not want them helping you with tasks as they think you should be more independent (de Vos et al., 2022). Some days you find the environment overwhelming and misunderstandings happen when the educators interpret your behaviour through a behavioural lens rather than considering your adjustment to stress. In addition, some of the children tease you for not speaking English and the educators make no effort to learn any terms in your heritage language to support your transition (de Vos et al., 2022).
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outlook
Your early experiences are shaped by both support and ongoing uncertainty. Migration disrupted familiar routines and relationships within your original microsystem, and your parents continue to navigate unfamiliar systems. Your experiences in community childcare leave you sometimes feeling confused or misunderstood. When your parents are discouraged from helping you settle, the separation can feel abrupt and distressing, weakening your sense of security in this new environment. These strained interactions also weaken the mesosystem, limiting positive connections between your home and the childcare setting that would normally support your adjustment.Over time you feel pressured to hide parts of your identity in order to fit in, impacting your sense of belonging and how you see yourself. With support outside the childcare setting, you may develop resilience as you learn to cope with challenges and navigate unfamiliar expectations. However, without responsive relationships in this environment, building trust and confidence may take longer.
For Further Reflection
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child care
Your family accesses childcare through local settlement supports. Early childhood programs are often newcomers’ first point of contact with formal institutions in the host country, shaping access to language, information, and social networks. (Massing et al., 2020). The educators are welcoming and make efforts to communicate even when language is a barrier, sometimes relying on translators, cultural community members, or other families to help with “linguistic bridging" (Massing et al., 2013). Your parents feel seen and supported, which reduces isolation and helps them keep moving forward with settlement tasks. At the same time, staffing pressures and limited resources mean educators may need extra support when children are distressed, and your parents are sometimes called to help mid-day, adding stress even in a caring environment (de Vos et al., 2022).
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outlook
Your early development reflects both opportunity and disruption. Economic resources provide access to services and stability, but migration involved the loss of your extended family, cultural dislocation, and the challenge of rebuilding social networks from scratch. While your family has secured formal childcare within your microsystem, the environment does not fully reflect your cultural background or experiences. You are adjusting to new expectations and routines while your parents continue to navigate unfamiliar institutions. Weak connections between home and childcare in the mesosystem lead to misunderstandings and limited communication. As your family identity is not reflected within the childcare environment, you experience a reduced sense of belonging (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). With support outside the childcare setting, you may develop resilience as you learn to cope with challenges and navigate unfamiliar expectations. However, without responsive relationships in this environment, building trust and confidence may take longer.
For Further Reflection
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child care
Early childhood programs are often newcomers’ first point of contact with formal institutions in the host country, shaping access to language, information, and social networks (Massing et al., 2020). Your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your cultural and linguistic identity, supporting your positive development (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Communication is supported through interpretation or multilingual staff when needed, and your educators actively work to build trust with your parents rather than expecting your family to “fit” the centre (Massing et al., 2013). Over time, this becomes a place where you can play and learn in ways that reflect your identity and strengthen your sense of belonging.
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child care
Early childhood programs are often newcomers’ first point of contact with formal institutions in the host country, shaping access to language, information, and social networks. (Massing et al., 2020). Your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your cultural and linguistic identity, supporting your positive development (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Communication is supported through interpretation or multilingual staff when needed, and your educators actively work to build trust with your parents rather than expecting your family to “fit” the centre (Massing et al., 2013). Over time, this becomes a place where you can play and learn in ways that reflect your identity and strengthen your sense of belonging.
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outlook
Your early development reflects both opportunity and disruption. Economic resources within your microsystem provide access to services and stability, but migration involved the loss of extended family, cultural dislocation, and the challenge of rebuilding social networks. You witness your parents adapting to a new culture, language, and work environment while accessing support services in the exosystem, such as settlement programs and healthcare. Finding a culturally sustaining childcare provides a foundation that honours your family’s cultural identity, values, and knowledge which helps to buffer the effects of the systemic barriers. These positive influences foster a strong sense of belonging and well-being, offering you a foundation from which to thrive despite the challenges of resettlement (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019).
For Further Reflection
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For Further Reflection
How does access to education, healthcare, and economic resources impact a child’s development? In what ways does privilege shape a child's early experiences in comparison to those who face systemic barriers? How do race and language affect a child’s sense of identity and belonging within their community and society?
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Diverging Journeys:Childhood, Privilege, and the Ecological Model
Melissa S
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Transcript
Diverging Journeys:Childhood, Privilege, and the Ecological Model
Created by Melissa Steinke
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Diverging Journeys:Childhood, Privilege, and the Ecological Model
In early childhood education, understanding the complex interplay between a child’s environment and their development is critical for fostering inclusive, responsive, and culturally sustaining practices. Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model provides a comprehensive framework for examining how the “changing properties of the immediate settings in which... [a child] lives” (Bronfenbrenner, 1992, p. 107) influence their growth and development over time, as they transition between spaces, and within the historical context in which they live (Hayes et al., 2023). This model suggests that a child’s development is shaped by five nested environmental systems - the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem - which dynamically interact to influence the child's experiences and opportunities (Hayes et al., 2023).
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(Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, 2024)
Diverging Journeys:Childhood, Privilege, and the Ecological Model
The following branching scenarios explore key factors such as race, socioeconomic status, dominant language, and parental education, illustrating how each child’s development is influenced by their unique contexts. These scenarios are intended to demonstrate how intersecting identities affect a child’s developmental experiences. I acknowledge that race, language, socioeconomic status, and similar factors neither define a person nor predict their outcomes; the following is for illustrative purposes only. I further recognize that many other factors have not been included in this exemplar, including (but not limited to) gender, religion, disability, neurodiversity, family structure, and sexual orientation.
Let's get started!
(Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, 2024)
where yould you like to be born?
Country in Conflict
Developing Nation
Canada(large urban centre)
pLACE OF bIRTH: CANADA
You have been born in a major city in Canada. You will have immediate access to services such as public healthcare, a well-funded school system, libraries, social programs, and perhaps even recreational activities! You have two loving parents who are excited about welcoming their first child into the world. Your parents are:
White
(Husayno, 2014)
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour)
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dominant Race
As a white child, you have been born into the racial majority (approx. 70%) in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2022). You will likely benefit from societal privilege, which includes easier access to education, jobs, and more. The first language you learn is English, which is the dominant language in Canada. This means you will easily communicate with teachers, friends, and service providers such as doctors, government representatives, and first responders. Your parental education level is:
A University Degree
No Post Secondary
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university degree
Your parents both hold university degrees, providing them with the knowledge and resources to actively engage in your education. They are likely familiar with how the education system works and can advocate for you effectively. Learning in school will come naturally, and you’ll have easy access to educational resources in your primary language, English! This will give you an advantage when it comes to academic success and social integration. You will grow up in a home filled with books and learning materials, and your parents will support you in pursuing higher education.
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jobs & wages
Given their post-secondary education, both your parents hold well-paying jobs and are financially secure. They own a house in a safe neighbourhood and the fridge is always fully stocked. Your family can afford extracurricular activities (such as dance or hockey), summer and winter vacations, and perhaps even private school if desired.
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child care
Your parents have the means to enroll you in a high-quality, early learning and childcare centre with experienced and educated caregivers. This well-resourced centre values family-centred practice and nature-based play. All the playrooms have enhanced ratios, as centre leadership understands the benefits of continuity of care and fostering deep relationships between children, educators, and families.
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outlook
Your experiences have been significantly shaped by the privileges you inherited from your family’s race, socioeconomic status, and access to resources. From early childhood, you will benefit from societal systems that often favour your identity, providing you with easier access to quality education, healthcare, and recreational activities (Collins, 2018). Your identity as a white child allows you to move through these systems with fewer barriers, as you are less likely to encounter systemic racism or cultural marginalization. However, this privilege may also distance you from understanding the systemic barriers faced by others. The chronosystem, or changes over time, will likely reinforce this advantage as generational wealth, educational opportunities, and social capital accumulate across your life. Your development will reflect how privilege - embedded within various layers of the ecological model - can support thriving while others must navigate additional obstacles (Greenberg, 2017).
For Further Reflection
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no post secondary degree
Your parents graduated from high school but did not attend university or college. They can help you with your homework and provide some school support, but navigating complex educational systems might be challenging for them. They will encourage you to continue your education but have limited knowledge of the pathways to post-secondary education or the resources to support it.
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jobs & wages
Your parents work in stable but mid-range wage jobs. As they are white, they make around 29% more than their raciliazed peers (Block et al., 2019). They work long hours and sometimes find it hard to spend quality time with you.
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jobs & wages
Your family is financially stable, but money isn’t limitless. While they provide for all your basic needs, they may not be able to afford many extras, such as luxurious vacations or access to high-cost extracurricular activities. At times, there may be financial trade-offs and your parents will need to budget carefully.
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child care
You childcare centre has larger playroom sizes with high ratios and fewer resources; the focus may be more on supervision than on individualized learning experiences. However, you are in a safe environment, the educators care about you, and you have opportunities to play and interact with peers.
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outlook
Your experiences will be shaped by both privileges and financial barriers. Although your family has limited economic resources within the microsystem, you benefit from strong relational supports, including positive connections between your family and your childcare setting. This plays a key role in your resilience. Your parents work hard to provide for you, and their values of perseverance and family solidarity along with support from extended family and community networks, provide important protective factors. Within the macrosystem, your alignment with the dominant racial group reduces the likelihood of encountering racism as an additional barrier.
For Further Reflection
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outlook
Your experiences will be shaped by both privileges and financial barriers. Although your family has limited economic resources within the microsystem, you benefit from strong relational supports, including positive connections between your family and your childcare setting. This plays a key role in your resilience. Your parents work hard to provide for you, and their values of perseverance and family solidarity along with support from extended family and community networks, provide important protective factors. Within the macrosystem, your alignment with the dominant racial group reduces the likelihood of encountering racism as an additional barrier.
For Further Reflection
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Black, indigenous, person of colour (bipoc)
As a BIPOC child, you may experience challenges that come with being part of a racial minority. Your family may face systemic racism, and you may encounteror microagressions or discrimination beginning as a young child and continuing throughout your life. The first language you learn is English, which is the dominant language in Canada. This means you will easily communicate with teachers, your friends, and service providers such as doctors, government representatives, and first responders. Your parental education level:
A University Degree
No Formal Education
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University degree
Your parents both hold university degrees. They have a strong understanding of the educational system and can support your academic journey. They are likely to advocate for your success and provide you with resources to thrive. Your parents' employment:
Stable, Well-Paying Jobs
Stable but Underpaid Jobs
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jobs & wages
Although your parents work in stable, well-paying jobs, systemic racism and employment discrimination mean they still earn around 29% less than their non-racialized peers (Block et al., 2019). They have access to health benefits, paid leave, and flexible work schedules, enabling them to spend time with you.
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child care
Your parents enroll you in a high-quality, early learning and childcare centre with experienced and educated caregivers. This well-resourced centre values family-centred practice and nature-based play. All the playrooms have enhanced ratios, as centre leadership understands the benefits of continuity of care and fostering deep relationships between children and educators.
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child care
Your parents enroll you in a high-quality, early learning and childcare centre with experienced and educated caregivers. This well-resourced centre values family-centred practice and nature-based play. All the playrooms have enhanced ratios, as centre leadership understands the benefits of continuity of care and fostering deep relationships between children and educators. However, as one of the few BIPOC children, you may experience subtle forms of exclusion or microaggressions from peers or educators who may not understand your cultural background. These experiences may cause you to feel isolated.
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outlook
Your experiences will be shaped by both privileges and systemic barriers. While your family’s financial stability within the microsystem provides access to quality education, healthcare, and enriching opportunities, your racial identity influences how you move through broader systems. Within the macrosystem and exosystem, you may encounter systemic racism, microaggressions, and cultural biases that your white peers are less likely to face. These subtle but persistent barriers can impact your sense of belonging, emotional well-being even in otherwise supportive environments. Positive connections between your family and educational settings may help buffer these experiences by providing advocacy and culturally responsive support. With strong support, you may develop resiliency the tools needed to navigate these challenges and succeed despite systemic inequities.
For Further Reflection
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No formal education
Your parents did not complete high school, which limits their ability to help with school work. They may not be familiar with aspects of the school system, so you will often need to navigate it on your own. However, they bring other funds of knowledge, which they will pass on to you.
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jobs & wages
Your parents make around 29% less than their non-racialized peers (Block, 2019). Working in low-wage jobs, they have inconsistent hours and no benefits. They often have to work long shifts, making it difficult to spend quality time with you.
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jobs & wages
Your parents make around 29% less than their non-racialized peers (Block, 2019). Working in low-wage jobs, they have inconsistent hours and no benefits. They often have to work long shifts, making it difficult to spend quality time with you.
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jobs & wages
Like many racialized groups in Canada, your family lives in poverty (Government of Canada, 2023). You face challenges such as food insecurity, housing instability, and limited access to healthcare. This financial instability creates stress at home, impacting your emotional and social well-being.
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child care
Your family relies on relatives and community members for childcare. While you are usually in a loving environment, you miss out on semi-structured opportunities to play, explore, and learn alongside other children your age.
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outlook
Your experiences are significantly influenced by systemic barriers tied to your family’s race, socioeconomic status, and limited access to resources. Your racial identity also means you are more likely to experience systemic racism and cultural marginalization, affecting how you and your family interact with institutions like schools, healthcare, and various other social systems. These inequities within the macrosystem and exosystem will continue to shape your opportunities compared to your white peers who benefit from societal privilege. Over time, these experiences may influence your resilience, sense of belonging, and worldview as you grow within and across different contexts.
For Further Reflection
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pLACE OF bIRTH: Country in Conflict
You have been born in an unstable, war-torn region. Access to education and healthcare have been disrupted and your basic needs are just being met. You have two loving parents and a strong network of extended family and community. Your parents are excited about the birth of their first child however they are also feeling uncertain about your future and worried about your safety. Your parents socioeconomic status is:
Middle to High Socioeconomic Status
(Munna, n.d.)
Low Socioeconomic Status
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Country in Conflict
Your family is forced to flee persecution, spending three years in a refugee camp before being relocated to Canada. Regardless of your family’s previous socioeconomic status, the urgency of displacement meant leaving possessions, professional roles, and financial security behind, placing everyone in similar conditions of uncertainty and loss. During this time, access to healthcare and safe housing is limited, and educational supports are unavailable. The emotional and physical toll of the time spent in the refugee camp is compounded by the trauma of experiences in your home country (de Vos et al., 2022). Your parents speak:
(Munna, n.d.)
Only their Heritage Language
English and their Heritage Language
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heritage language
Upon arriving in Canada, your family’s limited English proficiency presents barriers to communication, making it challenging to navigate essential services. With limited resources for transportation and document translation, applying for essentials like a Social Insurance Number, a provincial health card, and a bank account could take weeks, if not months (de Vos, 2022). With the shortage of family doctors, securing one is difficult, and due to high housing costs, your family relies on temporary government-provided housing (Government of Canada, 2024). Your parents feel that simply staying afloat is a daily challenge. Adjusting to this new cultural environment, they experience social exclusion. This is compounded by systemic discrimination within the very systems they turn to for support, contributing to a sense of feeling “lesser than,” and making it hard to envision a way forward (de Vos et al., 2022). Your parents education level:
University Degree
No Formal Education
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english & heritage language
Arriving in Canada, your family’s ability to speak some English makes navigating essential services easier, allowing your parents to communicate more effectively. They face fewer obstacles with language, easing the process of securing essentials like a Social Insurance Number, provincial health card, and opening a bank account. This ability also improves their access to stable housing options and understanding of settlement services. However, despite their bilingualism, challenges persist and simply staying afloat remains a daily challenge. Adjusting to this new cultural environment, they experience social exclusion, which is often systemic and intersectional for newcomers. This is compounded by discrimination within the very systems they turn to for support, contributing to a sense of feeling “lesser than,” and making it hard to envision a way forward. (de Vos et al., 2022, p. 30). Your parent's education level:
University Degree
No Formal Education
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University degree
Despite facing numerous challenges, your parents access supports through a settlement program and complete federally funded Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada classes (Government of Canada, 2024). These classes help them improve their English proficiency, boosting their confidence and ability to navigate daily tasks.
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jobs & wages
Although your parents hold university degrees, they face significant systemic barriers to employment. Their credentials are not recognized in Canada and limited knowledge of Canadian systems make daily tasks, like completing job applications or understanding workplace norms, challenging and time-consuming (Business Council of Alberta, 2024). Employers may also be reluctant to hire them based on appearance or perceived differences (Jansen-Nicorescu, n.d.). As a result, they are forced to accept jobs well below their qualification level with low-wage, unpredictable hours, few benefits, and limited job security, creating ongoing financial instability.
You are referred to a Multicultural Health Brokers
You do not Receive a Referral
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jobs & wages
Your parents face additional hurdles in securing stable employment. The language barrier and limited knowledge of Canadian systems make daily tasks, like completing job applications or understanding workplace norms, challenging and time-consuming (Business Council of Alberta, 2024). In addition, many employers seem reluctant to hire them based on appearance or perceived differences (Jansen-Nicorescu, n.d.). As a result, your parents must take low-wage, temporary positions that often come with unpredictable hours, no benefits, and limited job security, further contributing to financial instability and making it difficult to plan for the future.
You are referred to a Multicultural Health Brokers
You do not Receive a Referral
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jobs & wages
Your parents face additional hurdles in securing stable employment. Although they speak English, limited familiarity with Canadian systems and workplace expectations makes tasks such as completing job applications or navigating hiring processes challenging and time-consuming (Business Council of Alberta, 2024). In addition, employers may be reluctant to hire them based on appearance or perceived differences (Jansen-Nicorescu, n.d.). As a result, your parents must accept low-wage, temporary positions that often come with unpredictable hours, few benefits, and limited job security, contributing to financial instability and making it difficult to plan for the future.
You are referred to a Multicultural Health Brokers
You do not Receive a Referral
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jobs & wages
Despite their qualifications, your parents struggle to secure employment in their fields. Employers may undervalue international education or hesitate based on accent, appearance, or unfamiliarity with foreign credentials (Jansen-Nicorescu, n.d.). As a result, they accept jobs well below their level of training to support the family. There work often involve long hours on changing shifts with limited job security, leaving little time or energy to rebuild their professional careers. Financial stability improves gradually, but the loss of professional identity and status creates stress at home.
You are referred to a Multicultural Health Brokers
You do not Receive a Referral
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multicultural health broker
Your family is referred to a non-profit organization and connected with a cultural broker whose goal is to ensure culturally relevant support (Massing et al., 2013). With their help, your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your unique cultural background.
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multicultural health broker
Your family’s involvement is encouraged and supported in an environment that values their heritage and appreciates their cultural and linguistic diversity (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Set within a practice of relationships, the educators foster a responsive environment that promotes your sense of belonging and allows you to play and learn in a space that reflects your identity and family values, positively impacting your holistic development.
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outlook
As a child born into a country of conflict and relocated to Canada after spending years in a refugee camp, your experiences are deeply shaped by trauma and resilience. In your microsystem, you witness your parents adapting to a new culture, language, and work environment while also processing their own losses and uncertainty. These stressors can affect daily routines and emotional climate, yet the presence of loving caregivers remains a critical protective factor. The support of a cultural broker and access to culturally sustaining childcare provides a foundation that honours your family’s cultural identity, values, and knowledge which helps to buffer the effects of the systemic barriers (de Vos, 2022). Within the exosystem, settlement services and community organizations provide resources that your family could not access alone, helping to reduce barriers related to language, employment, and system navigation. These positive influences foster a strong sense of belonging, offering you a foundation from which to thrive despite the challenges of resettlement.
For Further Reflection
Back
multicultural health broker
Your family is referred to a non-profit organization and connected with a cultural broker whose goal is to ensure culturally relevant support (Massing et al., 2013). With their help, your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your unique cultural background.
Next
Back
multicultural health broker
Your family’s involvement is encouraged and supported in an environment that values their heritage and appreciates their cultural and linguistic diversity (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Set within a practice of relationships, the educators foster a responsive environment that promotes your sense of belonging and allows you to play and learn in a space that reflects your identity and family values, positively impacting your holistic development.
Next
Back
outlook
As a child born into a country of conflict and relocated to Canada after spending years in a refugee camp, your experiences are deeply shaped by trauma and resilience. In your microsystem, you witness your parents adapting to a new culture, language, and work environment while also processing their own losses and uncertainty. These stressors can affect daily routines and emotional climate, yet the presence of loving caregivers remains a critical protective factor. The support of a cultural broker and access to culturally sustaining childcare provides a foundation that honours your family’s cultural identity, values, and knowledge which helps to buffer the effects of the systemic barriers (de Vos, 2022). Within the exosystem, settlement services and community organizations provide resources that your family could not access alone, helping to reduce barriers related to language, employment, and system navigation. These positive influences foster a strong sense of belonging, offering you a foundation from which to thrive despite the challenges of resettlement.
For Further Reflection
Back
multicultural health broker
Your family is referred to a non-profit organization and connected with a cultural broker whose goal is to ensure culturally relevant support (Massing et al., 2013). With their help, your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your unique cultural background.
Next
Back
multicultural health broker
Your family’s involvement is encouraged and supported in an environment that values their heritage and appreciates their cultural and linguistic diversity (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Set within a practice of relationships, the educators foster a responsive environment that promotes your sense of belonging and allows you to play and learn in a space that reflects your identity and family values, positively impacting your holistic development.
Next
Back
outlook
As a child born into a country of conflict and relocated to Canada after spending years in a refugee camp, your experiences are deeply shaped by trauma and resilience. In your microsystem, you witness your parents adapting to a new culture, language, and work environment while also processing their own losses and uncertainty. These stressors can affect daily routines and emotional climate, yet the presence of loving caregivers remains a critical protective factor. The support of a cultural broker and access to culturally sustaining childcare provides a foundation that honours your family’s cultural identity, values, and knowledge which helps to buffer the effects of the systemic barriers (de Vos, 2022). Within the exosystem, settlement services and community organizations provide resources that your family could not access alone, helping to reduce barriers related to language, employment, and system navigation. These positive influences foster a strong sense of belonging, offering you a foundation from which to thrive despite the challenges of resettlement.
For Further Reflection
Back
multicultural health broker
Your family is referred to a non-profit organization and connected with a cultural broker whose goal is to ensure culturally relevant support (Massing et al., 2013). With their help, your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your unique cultural background.
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multicultural health broker
Your family’s involvement is encouraged and supported in an environment that values their heritage and appreciates their cultural and linguistic diversity (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Set within a practice of relationships, the educators foster a responsive environment that promotes your sense of belonging and allows you to play and learn in a space that reflects your identity and family values, positively impacting your holistic development.
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outlook
As a child born into a country of conflict and relocated to Canada after spending years in a refugee camp, your experiences are deeply shaped by trauma and resilience. In your microsystem, you witness your parents adapting to a new culture, language, and work environment while also processing their own losses and uncertainty. These stressors can affect daily routines and emotional climate, yet the presence of loving caregivers remains a critical protective factor. The support of a cultural broker and access to culturally sustaining childcare provides a foundation that honours your family’s cultural identity, values, and knowledge which helps to buffer the effects of the systemic barriers (de Vos, 2022). Within the exosystem, settlement services and community organizations provide resources that your family could not access alone, helping to reduce barriers related to language, employment, and system navigation. These positive influences foster a strong sense of belonging, offering you a foundation from which to thrive despite the challenges of resettlement.
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child care
Without a cultural broker to connect them to community resources, your parents are unaware of programs designed to support newcomers. Childcare did not exist in your home country and, though highly educated, navigating these services independently leads to isolation and duress (Massing et al., 2020). With limited support, your family relies on the closest childcare centre to your home. The educators seem upset with your parents when they try to spend time with you in the room. They do not want them helping you with tasks as they think you should be more independent (de Vos et al., 2022). You are very easily upset by loud noises; the educators do not understand your previous traumas and are annoyed by your behaviour. In addition, some of the children tease you for not speaking English and the educators make no effort to learn any terms in your heritage language to support your transition (de Vos et al., 2022).
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child care
Without a cultural broker to connect them to community resources, your parents are unaware of programs designed to support newcomers. Childcare did not exist in your home country and your family is unsure how to navigate these systems (de Vos et al., 2022). With limited support, your family relies on the closest childcare centre to your home. The educators seem upset with your parents when they try to spend time with you in the room. They do not want them helping you with tasks as they think you should be more independent (de Vos et al., 2022). You are very easily upset by loud noises; the educators do not understand your previous traumas and are annoyed by your behaviour. In addition, some of the children tease you for not speaking English and the educators make no effort to learn any terms in your heritage language to support your transition (de Vos et al., 2022).
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outlook
Your experiences reflect both the struggles of systemic exclusion for those who are culturally and linguistally diverse (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019) and the challenges of resettling with limited supports for cultural preservation. In your microsystem, daily environments may not reflect your language, traditions, or experiences, creating feelings of isolation and confusion. Without a culturally responsive environment, you experience gradual language and cultural loss, which "leads to a devaluation of worth and a negative sense of identity" (p. 429) and belonging. Weak connections between home and educational settings within the mesosystem further limit opportunities for mutual understanding. When educators are unfamiliar with your background or unable to communicate effectively with your family, important knowledge about your needs, strengths, and experiences may be overlooked impacting your ability to develop a sense of identity and belonging, impacting your resilience (de Vos, 2022). These elements create a challenging developmental pathway, and place "refugee cultures at risk for largely irreversible extinction" (Strekalova-Hughes & Wang, 2019, p. 7).
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outlook
Your experiences reflect both the struggles of systemic exclusion for those who are culturally and linguistally diverse (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019) and the challenges of resettling with limited supports for cultural preservation. In your microsystem, daily environments may not reflect your language, traditions, or experiences, creating feelings of isolation and confusion. Without a culturally responsive environment, you experience gradual language and cultural loss, which "leads to a devaluation of worth and a negative sense of identity" (p. 429) and belonging. Weak connections between home and educational settings within the mesosystem further limit opportunities for mutual understanding. When educators are unfamiliar with your background or unable to communicate effectively with your family, important knowledge about your needs, strengths, and experiences may be overlooked impacting your ability to develop a sense of identity and belonging, impacting your resilience (de Vos, 2022). These elements create a challenging developmental pathway, and place "refugee cultures at risk for largely irreversible extinction" (Strekalova-Hughes & Wang, 2019, p. 7).
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pLACE OF bIRTH: Developing Nation
You have been born in a country with limited infrastructure, underfunded public services, and restricted access to quality education and healthcare. You live in a multi-generational home and have two loving parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are excited for your birth. You have strong cultural ties to your community. Your family's socioeconomic status is:
Middle to High Socioeconomic Status
(Countries groups by United Nations 2017)
Low Socioeconomic Status
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Middle to High Socioeconomic Status
Your parents are respected professionals in your heritage country, but despite their education and skills, economic instability, limited career advancement, and concerns about long-term prospects make them question what the future will hold for you. They believe that immigrating will offer greater stability and they have the financial resources to pursue immigration through formal channels. Your family’s financial situation allows them to navigate the immigration process fairly smoothly, accessing legal help and expediting paperwork where possible. After months of research, preparation, paperwork, and uncertainty, your family is approved to move to Canada as immigrants. They sell property, say painful goodbyes to loved ones, and arrive with savings, important documents, and high hopes. Migration often involves leaving behind extended family networks and social supports, creating both opportunity and loss at the same time (Massing et al., 2013). Although you leave behind a strong support network, your parents are confident that the sacrifice will create a better life for you.
(Countries groups by United Nations 2017)
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Low Socioeconomic Status
Your parents work hard to provide for your family, but opportunities in your home country are limited. Economic instability, lack of secure employment, and restricted access to education and healthcare make it difficult to imagine a stable future. Unlike wealthier families, your parents do not have the financial resources to pursue formal immigration pathways. When an opportunity arises to move to Canada through extended family connections, your parents decide to take the risk and move to Canada as immigrants. The process is uncertain and stressful. They are unable to access legal assistance or professional guidance, and much of the paperwork is confusing and difficult to complete (de Vos, 2022).. To afford travel costs, your family sells most of your belongings and borrows money from relatives. Your family faces significant challenges during the immigration process due to limited financial resources.
(Countries groups by United Nations 2017)
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Arrival Conditions (High SES)
Your parents have pre-arranged a stable living arrangements in a small but comfortable home in a more diverse neighbourhood, where community networks and support services are accessible. In the early “surviving” stage of settlement, your family focuses first on urgent needs such as food, shelter, and orientation to essential systems (de Vos, 2022, p. 13). Alongside other social supports, your family has access to provincial healthcare on arrival (Alberta Health, 2024). Upon arrival, your family quickly realizes that starting over is far more complex than they anticipated (Edmonton Local Immigration Partnership [ELIP], 2025). While starting over is never easy, your family has some savings to cushion the transition. Your parents’ English skills will shape how easily they navigate systems in Canada. Your parents’ English proficiency is:
Intermediate level of English
Proficient in English
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Arrival Conditions (Low SES)
Your family arrives in Canada with limited savings and no pre-arranged housing. Initially, you stay with relatives in a crowded home in a neighbourhood where affordable rent is available but access to services is limited. Although your family is eligible for basic provincial healthcare, navigating registration, transportation, and appointments proves challenging without guidance (Alberta Health, 2024). Financial insecurity, unfamiliar systems, and the loss of community supports contribute to ongoing stress during early settlement (de Vos, 2022). Without savings, every expense such as rent, food, clothing, and transportation, places strain on your family’s budget and securing stable housing, employment, and childcare is difficult without established networks, Canadian work experience, or knowledge of local systems (Edmonton Local Immigration Partnership [ELIP], 2025). Your parents’ English skills will shape how easily they navigate systems in Canada. Your parents’ English proficiency is:
Intermediate level of English
Proficient in English
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Proficient in English - low SES
Your parents’ ability to speak English helps them communicate with service providers and understand basic procedures, which reduces some barriers to settlement. They can complete forms, attend appointments independently, and search for employment without relying heavily on translators. However, language fluency does not eliminate systemic barriers. Limited financial resources and lack of formal education or recognized credentials still restrict opportunities. Without savings or professional networks, your parents must accept jobs quickly to cover basic needs. Your parents accept:
Stable Low-Wage Employment
Multiple Jobs with Long Hours
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Intermediate level of English
Your parents can manage simple conversations but struggle with detailed instructions, official documents, and complex interactions. Navigating services becomes time-consuming and stressful, as misunderstandings lead to delays. They may avoid asking questions out of fear of embarrassment or making mistakes (ELIP, 2025). Language proficiency strongly influences employment outcomes for skilled immigrants, even when education and experience are high (Government of Canada, 2024). Without strong language skills or financial resources, your parents rely heavily on community members for information, limiting their independence.
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Proficient in English - High SES
Upon arriving in Canada, your parents’ strong English language skills eases their ability to navigate essential services. They quickly complete tasks such as applying for healthcare cards, Social Insurance Numbers, and opening a bank account. They are able to communicate confidently with landlords, employers, educators, and government officials and can advocate for your needs with relative ease. Because they understand how to ask questions and seek information, they are able to navigate complex systems more efficiently than many newcomers (ELIP, 2025). However, language fluency does not eliminate systemic barriers. Highly educated immigrants frequently encounter difficulties having their credentials recognized and may experience “deskilling,” meaning employment below their qualifications (Business Council of Alberta, 2024). Your parents’ professional credentials are:
Recognized after assessment
Not recognized
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Intermediate level of English - HIGH SES
Upon arriving in Canada, your family's limited English proficiency creates communication barriers, making it difficult to navigate essential services (ELIP, 2025). Your parents can communicate in everyday situations but struggle with complex conversations, technical vocabulary, and formal documents. Your parents often rely on interpreters or community volunteers to translate important information, which can slow down processes and cause frustration. Although their education and financial resources provide some protection, limited language proficiency is strongly associated with barriers to employment and social integration for newcomer families (Government of Canada, 2024). They may also encounter systemic discrimination related to their visible minority status and international credentials, which can affect both employment opportunities and their sense of belonging. Your parents’ professional credentials are:
Recognized after assessment
Not recognized
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recognized credentials - High SES
After completing credential assessments and licensing requirements, one or both of your parents secure employment in their professional field. Although the process is lengthy, complex, and expensive, their perseverance leads to financial stability (Government of Canada, 2024). Their jobs provide steady income, health benefits, and opportunities for advancement. Your family begins to rebuild a sense of normalcy.
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credentials not recognized - HIGH SES
Despite their qualifications and English fluency, your parents are unable to work in their original professions. Employers require Canadian credentials or additional certification that will take years to obtain (ELIP, 2025). As a result, they accept in lower-paying jobs in industries where their education and skills are undervalued leading to sense of being treated as “lesser than,” making the transition even more challenging than expected (de Vos, 2022). While their jobs provide moderate financial stability, the mismatch between their education and employment, often described as “deskilling,” leads to frustration and loss of professional identity (Business Council of Alberta, 2024).
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recognized credentials - Intermediate english
After completing credential assessments and licensing requirements, one or both of your parents secure employment in their professional field. Because workplace communication involves specialized vocabulary and cultural expectations, they initially rely on written supports, colleagues, and additional language training to succeed. Although the process is demanding, their education and perseverance help them gradually build confidence. Their jobs provide stable income, health benefits, and opportunities for advancement. However, communicating in a second language throughout the workday can be exhausting, and your parents worry about making mistakes or being misunderstood.
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credentials not recognized - Intermediate english
Despite their education and previous professional status, your parents are unable to work in their original field. Employers require Canadian credentials, advanced language proficiency, or additional certification that will take years to obtain (ELIP, 2025). Because complex workplace communication presents an additional barrier, they accept lower-paying jobs that require less formal interaction leading to sense of being treated as “lesser than,” making the transition even more challenging than expected (de Vos, 2022). While these positions provide some financial stability, the long hours, and limited benefits add to family stress. The mismatch between their education and employment, often described as “deskilling,” leads to frustration, reduced confidence, and loss of professional identity (Business Council of Alberta, 2024).
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Stable Low-Wage Employment
Your parents secure steady work with consistent hours but modest pay. While this allows your family to meet basic needs, financial vulnerability remains, especially in areas with high costs of living (Government of Canada, 2024) and there is little money left for savings or unexpected expenses. Affordable housing options are limited, and your family must budget carefully to avoid financial setbacks. Although the work is demanding, predictable schedules allow your parents to maintain routines at home and remain involved in your daily life. Over time, this stability can support your sense of security, belonging and build resilience. even if opportunities for enrichment activities or travel remain limited.
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Multiple Jobs with Long Hours
To cover basic expenses, your parents take on more than one job, often working early mornings, evenings, nights, or weekends. This increases household income but leaves little time for rest, family interaction, or participation in your education and community life. Although your parents are working extremely hard to support the family, fatigue and stress can affect their health and emotional well-being (de Vos, 2022). You spend long periods away from your parents, which reduces your sense of stability and may increase feelings of worry, loneliness, or uncertainty.
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Multiple Jobs with Long Hours
To cover basic expenses, your parents take on more than one job, often working early mornings, evenings, nights, or weekends. This increases household income but leaves little time for rest, family interaction, or participation in your education and community life. Although your parents are working extremely hard to support the family, fatigue and stress can affect their health and emotional well-being (de Vos, 2022). You spend long periods away from your parents, which reduces your sense of stability and may increase feelings of worry, loneliness, or uncertainty.
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child care
Because of waitlists, cost and irregular work schedules, your family relies on informal care provided by relatives and members of your cultural community. This arrangement helps to preserve your heritage language and offers emotional security and continuity during a time of major transition. Early childhood programs are often newcomers’ first point of contact with formal institutions in the host country, shaping access to language, information, and social networks. (Massing et al., 2020). This informal care limits access to structured early learning opportunities and peer interaction with children your age.
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outlook
Your early development is shaped primarily within your family and cultural community, making the microsystem a central source of support. Informal care preserves your home language, traditions, and relationships, providing emotional security during a period of major transition. Strong family bonds and shared cultural practices act as powerful protective factors that support resilience (ELIP, 2025). However, limited participation in formal childcare weakens the mesosystem, reducing opportunities to build connections between home and educational settings. You may have fewer chances to interact regularly with children your own age, practise social skills in group settings, or become familiar with routines that are common in schools. This can make the transition to formal schooling more challenging, as classroom expectations, language use, and social dynamics may feel unfamiliar. You may also have fewer opportunities to access early learning experiences that support language development, problem-solving, and confidence in new environments.
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child care
Early childhood programs are often newcomers’ first point of contact with formal institutions in the host country, shaping access to language, information, and social networks. (Massing et al., 2020). Childcare did not exist in your home country and your family is unsure how to navigate these systems (de Vos et al., 2022). With limited support, your family relies on the closest childcare centre to your home. The educators seem upset with your parents when they try to spend time with you in the room. They do not want them helping you with tasks as they think you should be more independent (de Vos et al., 2022). Some days you find the environment overwhelming and misunderstandings happen when the educators interpret your behaviour through a behavioural lens rather than considering your adjustment to stress. In addition, some of the children tease you for not speaking English and the educators make no effort to learn any terms in your heritage language to support your transition (de Vos et al., 2022).
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outlook
Your early experiences are shaped by both support and ongoing uncertainty. Migration disrupted familiar routines and relationships within your original microsystem, and your parents continue to navigate unfamiliar systems. Your experiences in community childcare leave you sometimes feeling confused or misunderstood. When your parents are discouraged from helping you settle, the separation can feel abrupt and distressing, weakening your sense of security in this new environment. These strained interactions also weaken the mesosystem, limiting positive connections between your home and the childcare setting that would normally support your adjustment.Over time you feel pressured to hide parts of your identity in order to fit in, impacting your sense of belonging and how you see yourself. With support outside the childcare setting, you may develop resilience as you learn to cope with challenges and navigate unfamiliar expectations. However, without responsive relationships in this environment, building trust and confidence may take longer.
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child care
Your family accesses childcare through local settlement supports. Early childhood programs are often newcomers’ first point of contact with formal institutions in the host country, shaping access to language, information, and social networks. (Massing et al., 2020). The educators are welcoming and make efforts to communicate even when language is a barrier, sometimes relying on translators, cultural community members, or other families to help with “linguistic bridging" (Massing et al., 2013). Your parents feel seen and supported, which reduces isolation and helps them keep moving forward with settlement tasks. At the same time, staffing pressures and limited resources mean educators may need extra support when children are distressed, and your parents are sometimes called to help mid-day, adding stress even in a caring environment (de Vos et al., 2022).
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outlook
Your early development reflects both opportunity and disruption. Economic resources provide access to services and stability, but migration involved the loss of your extended family, cultural dislocation, and the challenge of rebuilding social networks from scratch. While your family has secured formal childcare within your microsystem, the environment does not fully reflect your cultural background or experiences. You are adjusting to new expectations and routines while your parents continue to navigate unfamiliar institutions. Weak connections between home and childcare in the mesosystem lead to misunderstandings and limited communication. As your family identity is not reflected within the childcare environment, you experience a reduced sense of belonging (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). With support outside the childcare setting, you may develop resilience as you learn to cope with challenges and navigate unfamiliar expectations. However, without responsive relationships in this environment, building trust and confidence may take longer.
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child care
Early childhood programs are often newcomers’ first point of contact with formal institutions in the host country, shaping access to language, information, and social networks (Massing et al., 2020). Your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your cultural and linguistic identity, supporting your positive development (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Communication is supported through interpretation or multilingual staff when needed, and your educators actively work to build trust with your parents rather than expecting your family to “fit” the centre (Massing et al., 2013). Over time, this becomes a place where you can play and learn in ways that reflect your identity and strengthen your sense of belonging.
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child care
Early childhood programs are often newcomers’ first point of contact with formal institutions in the host country, shaping access to language, information, and social networks. (Massing et al., 2020). Your family secures a spot in a childcare centre focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Here, educators acknowledge and integrate your family’s funds of knowledge and cultural capital into the curriculum, creating an inclusive environment that honours and celebrates your cultural and linguistic identity, supporting your positive development (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019). Communication is supported through interpretation or multilingual staff when needed, and your educators actively work to build trust with your parents rather than expecting your family to “fit” the centre (Massing et al., 2013). Over time, this becomes a place where you can play and learn in ways that reflect your identity and strengthen your sense of belonging.
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outlook
Your early development reflects both opportunity and disruption. Economic resources within your microsystem provide access to services and stability, but migration involved the loss of extended family, cultural dislocation, and the challenge of rebuilding social networks. You witness your parents adapting to a new culture, language, and work environment while accessing support services in the exosystem, such as settlement programs and healthcare. Finding a culturally sustaining childcare provides a foundation that honours your family’s cultural identity, values, and knowledge which helps to buffer the effects of the systemic barriers. These positive influences foster a strong sense of belonging and well-being, offering you a foundation from which to thrive despite the challenges of resettlement (Wynter-Hoyte et al., 2019).
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For Further Reflection
How does access to education, healthcare, and economic resources impact a child’s development? In what ways does privilege shape a child's early experiences in comparison to those who face systemic barriers? How do race and language affect a child’s sense of identity and belonging within their community and society?
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References