For this week’s blog we are
asked to choose a country we are unfamiliar with, and imagine that we have a
child from that country entering our center, agency, or in home care facility.
I have chosen a group care
facility ranging from infancy to pre-K. The family I will be currently working
with have adopted a child from an orphanage in Guatemala.
I have learned through
research and preparation upon the arrival of my new family, that a large
population if children living in Guatemala are placed in orphanages
due to poverty, mistreatment, and a variety of other societal challenges.
As an early educator in preparation for the
arrival of my new family, I will:
·
Discuss
with the family if they \were explained how much language this 4 year-old child
has, if any.
·
I will research all information on the child
based on any trends or issues related to children raised in that type of care,
as I would do so in learning about all of my families’ cultural background.
·
In the event that I would learn the child
understands mostly Spanish language, I would prepare my classroom environment
accordingly, as well as my proficiency in Spanish.
·
I will work closely with the family to
facilitate any accommodations, food modifications, extra professional support
within the community and routines that are practiced within the child’s home.
·
I will provide an inclusive environment for the
child and family, as well as work with the children in the classroom, to learn
about, and understand this child’s cultural dynamics.
Benefits to being culturally responsive for me and the family in which
I will currently be serving are:
- Collectively we will learn the culture and history of the child, and the area in which he was born.
- We will learn to adapt to the child’s traditions, and routines, that will help both home and the child’s school environment.
- We will support the child in learning about individuals that are; “different” than he is, that will eliminate fear, and exclusion.
- By working with the family, we will be able to help the child’s peers learn about growing up and learning internationally, which will support children’s abilities to accept, embrace, and eliminate judgments that promote unwanted and negative bias against others.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post. It's a great idea to find out about the family's language before they arrive so that accommodations can be made in advance. Displaying things pretaining to their culture in the classroom will help them to recognize familiar things. Creating a warm and welcoming environment will allow them to feel a sense of belonging and this is something that will help them through the transition.