For this week's assignment, I chose the country of Bosnia. We have many families from Bosnia in our city yet none of them have transitioned to my facility as of yet. I would begin my researching the country to learn more about the general culture of Bosnia such as what languages are spoken and what religions are practiced prior to them enrolling. I would talk with the family and utilize an interpreter if needed to expand upon these topics and gain insight into their family beliefs and expectations of my program. In doing internet research, I have learned that most Bosnian families are Muslim and they live in larger communities. I recognize that I would need to put my biases aside and value the family as one with different experiences that we can all learn from. I envision myself meeting with the local Multicultural Resource Center to obtain more information and look for ways to ensure the family felt valued in our program. I would be looking for activities or practices that we could incorporate into our day as well as triggers for unintentional biased messages. I believe that I would incorporate the lead teacher if not the entire team into this planning and be as open in communication as possible. We would need to consider the learning and socialization styles of the child and family. If they are reserved and preferred to play alone, how can we support them where they are without trivializing their beliefs.
Overall, I believe that these preparations would be meaningful to the family and my center by providing a peace of mind. My goal would be to have at least a small part of home in their surroundings. In the process, the awareness of differences and likenesses would be expanded.
The strategies you noted in your post are reflective of best practices for dual language learners, no matter what their home language is. It is far more challenging to accommodate DLLs when the language spoken is not one typically found in the area, and resources are more difficult to find. Contacting the local multicultural resource center is a great place to start! Most important is the commitment of your center staff to meet your students where they are, and include their family in this process. Thanks for sharing this important information! -Susan
ReplyDeleteArlene,
ReplyDeleteI believe your preparations will be very fruitful. I liked your point about looking for learning and socialization styles. In fact, this will help provide better planning and assessments to the child’s performance, as well as the family’s ways of communication.
Arlene, Your preparations will be helpful to you and your family. I feel your preparations will help the family feel comfortable and want to engage in your center. I really like how you mentioned you will put your personal biases aside to further connect with the family. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is very important to make all families feel welcomed into the classroom. It is also important to make sure you show the child that you accept them and their culture and different traditions and that everyone is different and we will celebrate everyone's traditions and not just the ones the teacher believes in.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you said that one way to make the family feel welcomed is to put your biases aside and value the family as one with different experiences that we can all learn from. You also mentioned that you would look for triggers for unintentional biased messages. I did not think to do this but it a great point that I will remember!
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