I choose to focus on Australia.
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| Photo Credit: living_australian_culture |
Five ways I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive to this family and young child:
- First, I will complete a broad search about customs and also the culture of those from Australia.
- Next, will ask the family to share with me as much as each of member is comfortable about customs and rituals they observe.
- Then I will narrow this search after learning more from the family and child as I get to know more about them as a whole.
- Also, I will seek materials (books, media, toys, etc) that are familiar to the young child in my care.
- Last, I will follow up with the family continually to ensure the child in my care is comfortable and feeling welcomed into the setting and change anything as needed.
Taking the time to learn about the culture in a broad spectrum can help me be more understanding as a situation arises when the child enters my child care setting. As it can be frightening to be in a new place with strangers, it can be comforting to have someone who knows a familiar phrase or game to ease the transition. Asking the family prior to the official arrival to share information with me that may aide in the transition and how i can assist them will begin the school to home connection and begin to build the community that will support them as they embark on this journey to a new nation. Taking the time to educate myself will also help me let go of any bias or stereotype I may hold about this nation and the people of this country. I will be able to learn from these and also grow in a manner that will be supportive from the first day.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteLearning about another country's customs and culture can help build a connection between a child's home and school. I agree that it is frightening to begin at a new place where you have no connections to and/or unfamiliar with. Even as an adult, I get anxiety when I attend places where I do not know anyone, so I cannot imagine what a child feels being in a completely foreign country and school. It would make me feel more comfortable if I was acquainted with someone beforehand, just as it probably would for the child and family to meet the teacher.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteMoving to a new country can be scary for a young child. The unknown may cause the child and her family to feel anxious, especially when a parent entrusts an unknown educator to care for their precious child. As you learn more about the culture and customs of Australia through your independent research and from the family, you better understand how to build a connection with the child and his family. Also, the addition of known books, toys, and objects may comfort the child and aide his transition into your classroom family.
Wishing you well,
Donna
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog. I really like all five ways that you mention in regard to prepare yourself and be culturally responsive. I like how you said that taking the time to educate yourself will help you let go of biases. It is our duty to make sure that families feel welcome as well in a comfortable environment.