•The name of “your” family’s
country of origin
GERMANY
•At least five ways in which you
will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family
Research
Ask Questions
Home visit
Invite family for
share day
Have child and
family to program for orientation
Integrate some of
their culturalistic items throughout the class
•A brief statement describing in
what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family
The family that is new to my child
care program is from Germany. While this
family is familiar with America and some of their customs, living in America on
a regular basis is new to them. Upon learning
that the new family to the community will be utilizing our child care services,
I want to make them feel as comfortable and welcome as possible to their new
child care family. In an effort to do
this I would first obtain some information about Germany and the area they came
from. I would conduct a home visit to
the family in order to introduce myself to the family and gain a sense of their
daily living environment. During my home
visit I would ask them to visit the program for a few hours before the official
start date in order to see their new learning environment and meet some of their
new friends. “Take opportunities to learn from and educate families, because
they can offer you new ways of interpreting children's behavior as well as
present you with opportunities to persuade them to reconsider their own
assumptions. (Hyland, 2010)” I would also incorporate some items from
Germany not just in the classroom but throughout the center. One the first official day I may hang a
banner, have balloons, or serve a German snack.
I would also read books to the children about moving and the feelings
children may experience. “Given the
opportunity to share a story, enjoy a joke, eat a meal, or celebrate
traditions, younger and older participants will discover impromptu moments to
interact. (Larkin & Kaplan, 2010 p.93)”
Hyland, N. E. (2010). Social justice in early childhood classrooms: What the research tells us. YC: Young Children, 65(1), 82--87. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the ProQuest Central database: http://search.proquest.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/docview/197637742?accountid=14872
Larkin, E., & Kaplan, M. S. (2010). Intergenerational relationships at the center. YC: Young Children, 65(3), 88--94. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Education Research Complete database: http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ898717&site=ehost-live&scope=site
What a awesome experience, showing a child how to be comfortable here in a America, and getting to know the child and see what their custom to back in Germany. Great Post!
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ReplyDeleteColleague Quandra:
ReplyDeleteI am sure that your family will feel welcomed in your center. I do like the idea that you are going to research the background of the family to assist in greater understanding of their customs and values. Just by taking the time out to know more will break down barriers and biases and build up communication which is an essential too for building cultural competency. Thank you for your post!
Sharon.
The most crucial component to any early childhood environment is to make family’s feel comfortable. Whether they are from the United States or a foreign country it is the early childhood providers responsibility to see that everyone benefits from the experience as much as possible.
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