Welcoming Families From Around the World

I have recently received word that we will be receiving a child from Pakistan into our child care program. Since I personally do not know anything about Pakistani or the associated culture, I am turning to various resources in order to prepare myself for their arrival.

1. The first thing that I will do is ask the Director about the child's information that they received during enrollment. From this information, I can learn about the child's primary language, family members, nutritional guidelines, health risks, and other basic information.
2. The second thing that I would do is find access to an interpreter, if English is not the primary language. I want to be able to readily communicate with the student and their family.
3. After an interpreter is assigned, I will set up a conference with the child's family, preferably in their home. By meeting in their home, I will be able to visually see how their family functions and determine if changes need to be made in the classroom routine in order to accommodate the daily structure of the child. I can also discuss with the family members in order to learn more about their expectations for our program and myself as an educator.
4. The next step would be for me to access materials about the Pakistani culture to have around the classroom. I can work with the family to see if they can suggest any materials, such as furniture, decorations, books, or pictures, in order to help the child feel welcome.
5. I will also communicate with the families about the incoming family and ask if there are any questions or concerns about the intake of the new student. By becoming aware of any bias or prejudice held by any of the other families, I can help address these concerns before they develop.

By addressing these steps before the child enters the program, I hope to display the image that the family is accepted and welcome. My goal for the classroom is to have an open-door policy where everyone is welcome and free to express their own beliefs, even if everyone does not agree on them. I also hope that by including the family in the planning process, I can gain a deeper understanding of their expectations and help them feel included in the education of their child and in the community.