Who is welcome in your classroom? --I mean REALLY welcome--
Early childhood is a place of warmth and kindness where everyone belongs and we learn to get along, right? We learn to play nicely together. We learn to be fair and include everyone. Do we really include everyone? Really?
Imagine being a three-year-old who does not speak English. Imagine walking into a busy classroom where no one looks like you, none of the pictures on the walls look like anyone from your family, and no one can understand what you mean when you say “I am scared”. How would you feel with people coming to you to bring you into a group of children where everyone says things you don’t understand. You don’t know where to hang your coat. You don’t know where the bathroom is. You don’t know how to ask. You don’t know the right words to tell someone you need help. You are alone with all of these people around you.
How much would a warm smile from a teacher mean to you at that moment? How much would you give to hear the words “It will be okay” in your native language?
You start to cry. You hear one teacher say something to a mother who’s dropping her child off. You have no idea that the teacher tells that parent “She’s okay. She’s new and she doesn’t speak English—that’s why she’s crying”. You start to cry harder as this other woman looks at you with a tilt of the head and a half smile.
Of course I have chosen an extreme scenario to tug at your heart strings and get you to feel a little bit of what that might be like. The fact of the matter is that children who are new to the English language and culture(s) are entering early childhood facilities more than ever. As Early Childhood Educators, we know we can make a difference in the life of every child and every family. We can make this situation an easier transition for everyone involved.
What things can be done to avoid the situation above? Being prepared for newly enrolled families is a wonderful way to help children and families feel that they belong. Work with whomever enrolls families to get any information that you can work with. Here are some tips:
· Learn some words in the family’s native language. Learn how to open the communication process with them.
· Show respect for their culture.
· Add some books and music that reflect their culture.
· Add some items in dramatic play that mirror common foods and daily dress.
· Do some research on the culture. Learn about it.
· Have open houses and invite families.
· Use a translation tool on the internet and write a short questionnaire for parents (what is your child’s favorite story, song, etc. Clear with your Director, of course.) Get those stories and CD’s from the library or ask to borrow them from the family.
· Have a family member read some stories in their native language and record them on tape. These can be added to the classroom library.
· Ask family members to volunteer in the classroom or share some traditions with the class.
· In the classroom, use a picture schedule with some words on it. This will be easier for all children to understand, thereby providing information about what to expect next. This will add to a feeling of security.
· Label some things around the classroom in their native language. Children will learn English more effectively when they have their familiar native words interspersed.
There may be times when you have no control over advanced notice of newly enrolling families. You’ll just have to do the best you can. You will still be in the unique and powerful position to help the child and family feel secure. We know how important security and a sense of belongingness are to the learning process. We also know that Early Childhood Educators can make the world a better place—one child at a time.