Welcoming Families from around the World

The country I chose is India.

First, I would do research on the country of India. I want to gain more knowledge of their traditions, language, and culture. I would do most research online and check the library for informative books.

Second, I would like to interview a family from India that now lives in the U.S. I would like to get a personal feel of the culture by talking with a family that can give me insight into the challenges they will face once they are in America.

Third, I would plan to meet with the family before the child enters the early childhood setting. I would like to get to know them as much as possible and make them feel comfortable with the EC program.

Fourth, when the child comes to the child care setting for the first time and throughout the transition period, I would make the child feel valued by incorporating her culture into the curriculum. I would talk with the child about her culture and allow the child to share pieces of her culture with the other children.

Last, I would continue to help the child transition to life in America by assisting her and her family with daily dilemmas and continue to respect her family culture learning about the things that are important to them.

Learning more about the Indian culture and speaking with a family that can share insights into future challenges will give me knowledge that will allow me to be valuable in the lives of the family. Making a great effort to learn the cultural traditions that  are important to this family will let them know that I respect their culture and value their transition into the American culture.