A warm welcome to a child and family from Turkey (Ms. Jay)

As a caregiver working at a child development center I imagine having the responsibility (and being the point of contact) of preparing to welcome a new child and family from Turkey into an early childhood development center. With first, having feelings of nervousness and excitement at the same time. The best way I would prepare for this family (and considering what I learned from this course) involves creating a “Supporting Families Checklist” and on the other hand a personal culturally responsive checklist.”

(Please read through my checklist and share some of your thoughts.)

Key Ways	Supporting Families Checklist (How am I Supporting Immigrant Families?)	Personally Culturally Responsive (How am I being culturally responsive?)
1)      Research	Considering proper greetings as a way of establishing respect	Familiarize myself with the culture and language of Turkey
2)      Learn	Learning some familiar or basic Turkish Language is a way of establishing common communication supporting both parties whether in a form of letters (in writing) or a translator  One example maybe a translated packet on the parents sharing the child and family “likes” and “dislikes” traditions, values, beliefs etc.	As I learn the language and establish a common form of communication between myself, the child and family members in the form of having a program translator, (translated documents)in a form of writing or  translating coming directly from the child I’m attempting to bring a warm and welcoming environment for both the child as well as the parent/guardian.
3)      Consider	The history of immigrant families and views of other professionals to provide families to adjust to new culture	As I consider by Derman-Sparks,L.,& Edwards, J.O. (2010) "the history of immigrant families and the views of others as well as challenges with other professionals, I can understand the views of immigrant families and provide “enough time for children and families to adjust to unfamiliar cultures and lifestyles” (p.74) as well as my personal adjustment to the child and program structure
4)      Apply	By applying these (Key Ways) within the program I support the family with hopes of maintaining respect and common courtesy within both cultures.	By applying each (key ways) method within the program and socially interacting with the child and family maintaining a positive relationship.
5)      Evaluate	By consistently responding to the child and family along with communication and observation I can support the family by asking them to share their concerns/goals for their child attending the program. Then consider their views and also evaluate/ alter activities so the needs of the child/family are met.	By constantly asking for feedback from the family, I’m able to evaluate my progress as a caregiver and keep record of the events and share my experience with other professionals.

(Overall I struggled with this post because I felt many of the key ways to support immigrant families blended together.)

   The three ways I hoped my methods benefited the family from Turkey was that our porgram established a warm, welcome, safe and comfortable environment for the child.  That the interactions between the caregivers, other staff members and the family were positive. And I hoped the family felt that our program helped them gain as well as built trust, and mutual respect for both parties. I also hoped the program supported their needs in regards to feeling their cultural values, beliefs etc. were important and valued despite differences.

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National  Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).