The R.E.R.U.N. Approach in Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Essay

Introduction

Effective communication and cultural competence are essential aspects of early childhood mental health consultation, particularly when working with families and young children from diverse backgrounds. Pulido-Tobiassen and Gonzalez-Mena introduced the R.E.R.U.N. approach, a five-step strategy for dialoguing differences that is particularly relevant to this field. In this paper, we delve deeper into the application of the R.E.R.U.N. approach using real-life scenarios depicted in the video clips “Let Her Walk” and “El Gordito” from Essential Connections, Ten Keys to Culturally Sensitive Care.

Reflect – The Art of Active Listening and Empathy

The first step in the R.E.R.U.N. approach, “Reflect,” serves as the foundation for effective communication and understanding, especially in the context of early childhood mental health consultation. This step revolves around the art of active listening and empathy, enabling mental health consultants and early childhood education (ECE) providers to connect with families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Active listening is the cornerstone of reflection. It involves more than just hearing words; it encompasses a deep commitment to understanding the speaker’s thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. When applying the “Reflect” step, consultants and ECE providers should engage in the following practices:

Attentive Presence: Being fully present in the conversation without distractions is essential. Maintaining eye contact, nodding, and using nonverbal cues can signal to the speaker that their words are valued.

Non-Judgmental Attitude: A crucial aspect of reflection is suspending judgment. Consultants and providers should withhold immediate evaluation or criticism and instead focus on comprehending the speaker’s viewpoint.

Validation: Expressing acceptance and validation of the speaker’s feelings and thoughts is paramount. Statements like “I hear you,” or “It’s understandable that you feel this way” convey empathy and understanding.

Open-Ended Questions: Encouraging open-ended questions invites the speaker to share more about their perspective. Questions like “Can you tell me more about that?” or “How does this make you feel?” promote deeper insights.

Paraphrasing and Summarizing: Repeating and summarizing the speaker’s words not only demonstrates active listening but also helps clarify misunderstandings and ensures both parties are on the same page.

Cultural Sensitivity: Recognizing and respecting cultural nuances in communication is vital. Different cultures may have varying norms regarding eye contact, touch, or personal space, and being aware of these differences is essential to create a comfortable environment.

Empathy, closely intertwined with active listening, is the emotional aspect of reflection. It involves genuinely feeling and understanding the emotions and experiences of the speaker. Cultivating empathy allows mental health consultants and ECE providers to connect with families on a deeper level and build trust. Key practices for expressing empathy include:

Emotional Awareness: Being attuned to one’s own emotions and recognizing how they may impact the conversation is crucial. Self-awareness helps consultants manage their emotional responses effectively.

Empathetic Responses: Acknowledging and validating the speaker’s emotions, even if they differ from one’s own, fosters a sense of validation and support. For example, saying, “I can imagine this is really challenging for you” conveys empathy.

Cultural Empathy: Recognizing that cultural experiences shape emotions and reactions is important. Consultants and providers should be culturally sensitive to the ways in which different cultures express and cope with emotions.

Avoiding Assumptions: Empathy also involves avoiding assumptions about what the speaker is feeling or thinking. Instead, asking open questions and actively listening to the response allows a more accurate understanding.

In-Depth Analysis of Video Clip

In the video clip “El Gordito,” we are presented with another enlightening interaction between an early childhood education (ECE) provider and a mother, this time concerning the child’s eating habits. This dialogue provides a valuable opportunity to explore the application of the R.E.R.U.N. approach’s steps in a different cultural context.

Video Overview

In this video, the mother expresses concern about her child’s eating habits. She shares that she has been feeding her child according to cultural practices from her background, which include larger portions and certain types of foods. The ECE provider responds by explaining their approach to nutrition and encouraging a healthier diet for the child.

Applying the R.E.R.U.N. Approach

Reflection: The video begins with the ECE provider reflecting on the mother’s concerns. She actively listens to the mother’s worries about her child’s eating habits and acknowledges her feelings of concern. This sets a positive tone for the conversation by demonstrating empathy and respect for the mother’s perspective.

Explain: The “Explain” step comes into play as the ECE provider articulates her thoughts on the child’s nutrition. She explains their approach, which is centered around a healthier diet. The provider offers reasons for this approach, highlighting the importance of balanced nutrition for the child’s overall well-being.

Reason: The ECE provider provides reasoning for their approach without trying to dominate the conversation or dismiss the mother’s perspective. Instead, they aim to offer a balanced viewpoint that takes into account the child’s nutritional needs.

Understand: Both the ECE provider and the mother engage in trying to understand each other’s perspectives. The mother’s cultural background and traditions are acknowledged, and the provider’s concerns for the child’s health are also taken into consideration. This mutual understanding forms the basis for further dialogue.

Negotiate: The negotiation step is critical in this scenario. Both parties come together to develop a plan that takes into account the mother’s cultural practices while also addressing the ECE provider’s concerns about the child’s nutrition. They collaborate on finding a balanced approach that respects the cultural background of the family while prioritizing the child’s health.

Key Points of Analysis

Respectful Dialogue: The interaction in “El Gordito” exemplifies a respectful and constructive dialogue. Both the ECE provider and the mother listen actively and respect each other’s viewpoints, which is fundamental for effective communication.

Cultural Sensitivity: This video showcases the significance of cultural sensitivity in early childhood education. The ECE provider acknowledges the mother’s cultural practices and traditions surrounding food, demonstrating an understanding of cultural diversity.

Balancing Cultural Practices and Health: The scenario highlights the challenge of balancing cultural practices and the child’s health. It exemplifies how negotiation and collaboration can lead to solutions that consider both cultural significance and the child’s well-being.

Further Considerations

Education and Resources: Early childhood professionals should proactively seek cultural competence by educating themselves about various cultural practices related to child-rearing, nutrition, and other aspects. Additionally, providing resources and guidance to parents on culturally sensitive approaches to child development can be beneficial.

Open Communication: Encouraging open communication between ECE providers and parents is crucial. Parents should feel comfortable discussing their cultural practices and concerns, and providers should be receptive to these conversations.

Reflective Questions and Guidance

What steps in the R.E.R.U.N. dialogue process can be observed?

In both video scenarios, we can identify elements of reflection, explanation, reasoning, and negotiation. These steps form the foundation of effective communication and understanding.

Did both parties reach a mutual understanding? Explain.

In “El Gordito,” both parties achieved a higher level of mutual understanding, which led to a more productive conversation and a culturally sensitive plan. In “Let Her Walk,” understanding was less complete, but they did reach some common ground regarding the child’s safety.

Did the parties negotiate a decision or plan? Explain.

Negotiation occurred to varying degrees in both videos. “El Gordito” showcased a more thorough negotiation process that resulted in a concrete plan. In “Let Her Walk,” negotiation was less extensive but still led to a partial resolution.

What other questions might have been asked?

In both scenarios, additional questions about cultural practices, beliefs, and values could have deepened the understanding and informed the negotiation process. Questions such as “Can you tell me more about the cultural significance of [specific practice] in your family?” or “What are your goals for your child’s development?” would have been beneficial.

As a mental health consultant to staff, what guidance might you provide to the ECE staff?

Mental health consultants can advise ECE staff to prioritize active listening, empathy, and open communication when interacting with families from diverse cultural backgrounds. Encouraging staff to ask culturally sensitive questions and explore the cultural context can lead to more productive dialogues. Additionally, consultants should emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting cultural differences while seeking mutually acceptable solutions.

Conclusion

The R.E.R.U.N. approach provides a valuable framework for navigating cultural differences in early childhood mental health consultation. Through reflection, explanation, reasoning, understanding, and negotiation, consultants and ECE staff can foster productive dialogues with families of diverse backgrounds, ultimately enhancing the well-being of young children. As these videos illustrate, applying the R.E.R.U.N. approach consistently takes practice and skill, but it is a crucial tool in promoting culturally sensitive care and supporting the healthy development of all children.