In our text" Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves", the author stressed the importance of making families feel welcomed. The first thing I would do, is prepare the environment as one that says "Welcome'. I would have pictures posted on the walls, that represented families of all cultures, but definitely pictures depicting their( Chinese) culture. I would also have an interpreter present to assist with communication. I would have simple words( in Chinese and English)with corresponding pictures( bathroom, eat, drink etc.). During my conversation with the family and child, I would ask about important issues such as allergies, likes and dislikes, family culture, and how/who they prefer information to be presented too. I would also provide food the child is use to eating.
Preparing for the family, would make me and them feel more comfortable and at ease. Hopefully my efforts to provide an inviting setting, would give the parents peace about where their child would spend his/her day. I would want the family to know their differences are celebrated.
Magretta, from reading your post, I am sure this family from China will feel very welcome. I am also sure that from all of what you are preparing for them will make them feel at peace and glad that they decided to visit our country. Thanks for sharing....Linda
ReplyDeleteI like that you remembered to ask about allergies and foods the child would like. Your family is going to see that you put in a lot to assure that they were welcomed! Great Post
ReplyDeleteLike you, I think it is important to make families and children feel welcome- comfortable and at ease, by making the environment familiar. It is hard enough to begin at a new school, but I can only imagine how going to a new school in a very different country can make a child and family feel uneasy and anxious. I think the environment plays a big role in giving parents and children the feeling of being at home and welcome.
ReplyDeleteHi Magretta,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about how you would welcome families from China. You gave me ideas that I did not think about initially. I did not approach the assignment from a classroom point of view, so I thank you for that visual.
-Beau