Welcoming Families From Around the World

My imagined emigrant family comes from Fortaleza, Brazil.

The first thing I would do is make sure I know how to pronounce the names of each individual in the family. Dr. Eugene E. Garcia spoke about the importance of being able to enunciate children’s names when he spoke of how a teacher changed his sister’s name from Ciprianita to Elsie (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Taking time to articulate someone’s name correctly can make a first meeting less cumbersome, and shows individuals that you care about them. Enlisting help from someone who speaks the native language of Portuguese would be helpful. This could be a staff member or whoever assisted the family in filling out the enrollment form at the child care center where I work.

Secondly, I would review and become well versed in the information on the enrollment form, and then schedule an initial home visit taking someone who could translate if necessary. During the visit, I would strive to lay the foundation for a relationship to form. I would do this by listening to what the family has to say about their journey from Brazil to America, about their hopes, dreams, and fears, and what their expectations are for their children and specifically for the child who will be in my classroom.

Third, I will prepare my current students for welcoming our new friend by displaying a picture of the new student and talking about how wonderful it is that we have someone who has come all the way from Brazil to be with us.

Fourth, I would make sure that there will always be someone present who can speak the child’s native language, and I would take measures to begin learning the language myself. Regardless of the language difference, all teachers and staff will provide interaction that is emotionally and developmentally supportive as they do with all our children.

Fifth, in preparing the environment to reflect some familiarity of Brazil will make the new child feel comfortable and erase many fears. Of course, our physical environment already reflects the rich diversity of all our families. Part of the environment preparation for all families includes an open invitation to join us at any time and to contribute in ways that make them feel most comfortable.
I hope that by establishing an anti-bias community in my classroom and the child care center, the new Brazilian family will find a safe haven as they begin their journey in a new place. When we feel safe, or feel like we have connections with supportive people and organizations, a difficult trek can become much easier. As for myself, I reap the benefit of joy in seeing others succeed and a sense of accomplishment in creating an anti-bias atmosphere where all who enter feel valued and respected.

Reference:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Webcast]. Baltimore, MD: Author.