As an early childhood educator within an Early Head Start Program, we have seen a great deal of diversities and cultural acceptances. I have seen similar cultures and diversities throughout my years and I have never connected with a family that came from the Philippines. As a teacher within the field, learning about a new child and family coming to the United States and being accepted into my program. There is a five-step preparation I would conduct to prepare for myself, the children, their families, and other early childhood professionals about the new family.
Step One: Research: I would research information regarding their country, their culture, and their customs to get a better sense of understanding about the child and their family. I would research their views and thoughts about education and their educational system to work with the differences between the educational systems in the United States.
Step Two: Language: I would take the time to learn simple words within their language and try my best to pronounce the words with their articulation then my own. I would label the classroom in their language to help support the child and family feel accepted in the classroom and program.
Step Three: Teaching and Learning Moment: I would share with my classroom about the findings of the Philippines and how they are different and similar to the dominant culture. I would collect music, books, and materials that represent the Philippines to the best of my ability. I would have the children in the program explore these materials and feel comfortable with them to support their peer with their transition to the classroom. It will show the family the efforts the teacher and the program put into making the family and child feel comfortable in a new place away from their one and only home.
Step Four: Meet the Family: I would want to meet the family and have an open conversation about their culture and customs that are a part of their live with an interpreter if needed. Share the culture within the program and speak openly about these differences. Take the time to listen to their thoughts, views, and beliefs, and needs of their child and their family.
Step Five: Invite: I would invite the family to the classroom to share their culture, customs, and materials that play a major role within their culture that has meaning to the family. Encourage the family to share their culture and customs with the children and staff within the program.
As an educator, I would hope these preparation steps will benefit myself and the family by beginning on a common ground of understanding one another. The relationship will be strong by the fact I took the time to get to know their culture, their customs, and their educational system to help guide the newest family within the program. It will make the family feel relaxed and comfortable to know a complete stranger took the time to learn about them and make them feel at home even though they feel completely out of their element. This family and educator will have a strong bond and understanding of respect and the knowledge to learn to make the other comfortable by being open and sharing intimate connected conversations to learn as much as they can from one another.
Hi Erin,
ReplyDeleteI thought of almost the exact same steps. I agree that it is very important to not only research the culture of a country, but also of the individual family. Each family creates their own unique culture depending on their experiences and personal values. I like the idea of labeling everything in the classroom; it helps to make the language more visible for the child. Anything familiar would be welcoming. -Mary
Erin,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your idea of also preparing children to the arrival of the new comer by introducing to them the country from which the child comes from and discussing openly about the main differences that exist between his or her culture and yours. Just as we, teachers, need to prepare ourselves to the arrival of the new comer so as to welcome him or her, children will also need to be prepared and learn about the origin and culture of that particular child to better know and accept him/her. In this way I believe, we will help children to accept any differences and see also the similarities that they have to make him/her feel welcome and comfortable in the group. The more we learn about the child’s culture, the more we can validate and represent it in our setting. Great post.
it seems as though we were thinking along the same lines. I was thinking more of hosting the family however, and you were thinking more in terms of the situation from a teaching aspect. I think that you established some exemplar points in your points and you would make an excellent host
ReplyDeleteI love all the ideas you have for incorporating the family and their culture into your classroom. How would you react if the family was resistant to getting to know their culture? In some instances, families who immigrate to the US want to immerse themselves into the US culture as to not 'stand out'. How would you alter your original plan?
ReplyDelete