Welcoming Families From Around the World
My new family is arriving from Russia and will be starting school next week. In order to prepare for their arrival I have done some research. I will try to make this transition as easy as possible. I hope that through preparation and research the family will feel more comfortable and that they fit in with the school setting. I have listed five ways that I will prepare.
First-I have labeled items in the classroom in their home language. This will help them to find the items and rooms that they need. This way the family can teach us new words while they are learning new words.
Second- I would plan a “share your culture” day. All the families could participate in this so no one feels put on the spot. I would also ask if they would like to come and share something from their culture.
Third- find out who in the family I should consult in education and health matters. I want to make sure that I don’t offend the family by speaking to the wrong family member.
Fourth- find out what experience they have had with public education. If they have had little experience with public schooling develop a plan to slowly introduce them to the process.
Fifth- develop a plan to address issues of differences and avoid discrimination behaviors.
You captured the idea of creating a place where the children can see themselves in the classroom. The idea of labeling cubbies, and work areas with the child's home language is wonderful and speaks to the importance and value you feel for the entire family. As you mentioned, research is the key to broaden our understanding.
ReplyDeleteVery nice plan of action. I never thought about how to address issuesof difference that would and most like will come up.Nice work
ReplyDeleteLeslie,
ReplyDeleteBeing able to hear and see your home language is very important. We had a family in our program from Russia and the Mother spoke English. When she heard one of our volunteer "Grandparents" speaking Russian, she was estatic. They formed an immediate bond and her child could hear her home language being spoken in the center. Our "Grandma" had immigrated from Russia years ago and had dropped something on the floor as the Mother passed by the classroom. Grandma said something out loud to herself in Russian and that is how she found out we had someone who spoke her language. Checking volunteer programs for that type of resource could also help in making a family feel welcome.