Welcoming Families From Around the World

My family of origin will be  from Cambodia.  In order to prepare myself for their arrival I would do the following:

·         I would first try and learn all I can about their country of origin.  Gain and access information through community supports, churches and ethnic.

·         I would also become familiar with some of their cultural values.  This will extend my ability to anticipate their reactions, as well as their responses to my actions.

·         I would also try and learn some of their vocabulary especially their greeting.  This will be welcoming to them and can also be used as an icebreaker this will allow them to feel more comfortable.

·         I would also embrace their culture and diversity and respect it as well.

·         I would also research the different foods and attire that they are accustomed to and perhaps prepare a meal representative of their custom and dress in their familiar attire.  This too let them know that I relate to them and is trying to bring some of their familiarities from their country.

Hopefully these things will assist me with being culturally responsive toward this family.

So that we are all able to accept, embrace, respect each other’s diversities and work for the common goal of establishing positive relationships among early childhood educators and children and families.  As a result our support of and response to people that we serve will be more appropriate and successful.