Welcoming Families From Around the World

The country of origin for the family that will be joining me in my early childhood classroom are from Ladonia a tiny country on the edge of the Scandinavian Peninsula.
The five ways that I will prepare for this families arrival is to first: research their country of origin as much as possible on the Internet.  A good example of a website on Ladonia is http://www.ladonia.net/docs/about.html.

I will also set up a family orientation with this new family.  This will be a great way to introduce this family to my school and our work with all of our families.  Additionally, this will be an initial time for me to initiate information from them that is important to their specific family.

Thirdly, I will suggest that the family create and bring in a picture book of all that is important to their child.  This will not only offer the child comfort and security in their new classroom on this day but also allow me a snap shot into discussion with the family and their child.

Then, I will also invite the family to our upcoming classroom picnic geared toward all family diversity.  At this picnic, all families are asked if they would like to participate in a food exchange in which they bring in a food dish that is important and part of their family culture.  This new family would be invited to bring in a dish as well.

Lastly, I would invite the family to share any information with me that they would choose.  I would be very open and honest with them and let them know that I want to know about them and I am willing to accept and share any information that they would want to share.  This would allow them to feel comfortable to share with me if they would choose.