Welcoming Families From Around the World

For this discussion I chose England.

First, I would contact my cousin who is an early childhood professional in England. She could provide me with some first hand experience about a day in the life in England. She could help me get a good grasp of what expectations families in England have on the early childhood teacher.

Secondly, I would re-connect with a website I have visited in the past, Early Education. Through this website I could learn the resources that are made available to early childhood teachers in England. I would check out the electronic resources that I would be able to access.

Third, if I had an address of the family I would send them a hand-written note, reflective of their language and print. Some of the numbers and letters are written in a slightly different form than in the U.S. 

Fourth, I would examine our daily schedule to see what ways we should made additions or adjustments to include traditions from England, such as tea and crumpets at 4pm.

Lastly, I would search out learning materials and props that are reflective of those in England (puppets, food, art and science materials). Including such materials would hopefully help the child and family feel welcome and give them a sense that we care for them and respect their culture.  

With this plan in place, the teaching staff and I would feel more at ease and have the background needed to help this child and family feel welcome and important to our classroom. Furthermore, typically, when families immigrate to a new place they have much transition and uncertainty to encounter. Once this family saw what we had in place to accommodate and help their child learn, it would ease/alleviate this one transition for them.