I’m excited to receive a four year old boy from Panama, into my early learning program. The family is new to our country and has decided to enroll their little one into an in home learning environment. The mother feels this is the best way for her son to adjust to the new transition. I couldn’t agree more since in home care is more intimate and has a lower teacher to child ratio that will help him not only adjust but to work at his own pace, without feeling overwhelmed.
Based on my research of Panama, I have prepared myself to be culturally responsive by:
1. Incorporating their Spanish language into the learning activities. By me learning Spanish, I’m able to better communicate with the child and his family. I can also send written communication in their home language as well.
2. Having the family share with me some of the child's developmental experiences. By probing, I can find out what the child likes to eat, do for fun, and even what signs to look for when the child isn't interested or doesn't feel like participating. This will help me better understand him and help me met his needs, along with make him feel more welcomed.
3. Including Panama specific customs like art, music, and special foods. This will demonstrate to him and his family how my program accepts his culture and renders respect to his country. This will also help me learn more about Panama's history.
4. Gaining a thorough insight on their early education system compared to the U.S. education system. This will help me gauge what the child has already been introduced to in the Panama ECE programs. It will help me better assess him and to know what type of foundation has already been establish so I can continue to build on it.
5. Gaining insight on the national youth organizations of Panama will help me explore the objectives they are trying to meet with helping children with their child development. This will help me to view current research and other projects that are working internationally to build equity and social justice.
I believe from the knowledge I've gained from diversity classes and professional development courses, that the methods I use to work with this child and his family will help the family adjust to the American culture, and most importantly help the child get the early education and child care he needs as he begin a new journey in his life as well. As I continue to advocate for young learners, this will help me explore a new culture and continue to promote social justice for children.
I think the steps you are taking to help the child and his family feel comfortable will work great. I also had the chance to learn a little bit of Spanish to help my students understand the daily routines in the classroom. They really like the fact I can understand them and speak a little bit with them in their native language.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline, I just accepted a teaching job at a predominately Hispanic school so I know I will find the time to learn Spanish starting next semester so I can improve how I communicate with the students I teach and their parents.
ReplyDeleteShonda,
ReplyDeleteIt is great that you plan to learn to speak the student's native language so you can communicate with the student and the family. I am sure the student will feel more at ease if he/she can communicate with the caregiver.
I love the idea of comparing educational systems. I hadn't thought about that in my own research this week but it makes since. You can learn a lot about the culture by the education system as well as find out what the child has done so far.
ReplyDeleteI did not consider to look into the youth organizations in their country. This is a great idea and will definitely assist you in the child's development. It would also assist in figuring out what types of activities the children like to play in his country.
ReplyDelete