Welcoming Families From Around The World

WELCOMING FAMILIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

I have been told that a new child from Indonesia will be arriving next week into our preschool program.  This will not only be a new adventure for the new child, this will also be a new change for the children already enrolled.   I must keep in mind, “ when people enter our country today they follow in the long footsteps of a long American history of ethnic and national groups seeking to better life for their children,” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, p. 73, 2010).  I want to be prepared to the responsive to the new family in the following five ways:

1.      Send a welcome letter to the new family and program brochure.

2.      Engage the staff in preparing for the arrival of the new child. Provide information about the family and child

3.      Introduce the new family culture to the children already enrolled, through reading Indonesian age appropriate books, add culture appropriate pictures to the environment and other materials supplies within the environment. This will promote awareness and provide friendly environment.

4.      Create a community based informational folder that will provide resources to the family.

5.      Provide monthly family night participations opportunities that will allow families to be empowered to share their culture with one another.

My ultimate goal is to make sure that the program meets all the needs of each family that is enrolled in the program.  It is important to build a relationship that is positive and allows for continued growth.

 REFERENCE

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).