I was inspired about the story in our course reading, and I started to investigate Finland. The more I investigate it, the more I want to go!!
There are some great ways that you can make a new family feel welcome in your center.
First off you can have signs in their native language that welcome them into the room. The website http://www.speakfinnish.co.uk/phrases/general_conversation has all different types of phrases, numbers, colors and other valuable language that you can learn and hear in Finnish!
This would be an amazing thing to work with students prior to the students arrival into the room. That way when the family enters, the classroom has some key phrases that they have studied that they can say to welcome the new child into the room.
With learning about the language, you can also learn about the country at www.visitfinland.com. Children in the class can spend time researching information and come up with a list of questions that they would like to ask the new student upon their arrival. This can give the student a sense of pride in who they are and where they came from.
Art projects, who doesn't love a good art project? Students would be able to tear pieces of paper in the colors of the flag of Finland to place on the walls within the classroom to show support of the new students arrival. Talking with the family and finding out what language they speak will be very important. Even though it is said that many Finnish people speak English it will be important to ask the family what other language they would like to keep with the child. In doing so I would also ask the family if they would mind coming in once a month and read a story to the class in Finnish. This would give the children and the family a love of a language. To be able to learn a new language, and to keep an old one.
The last thing that I would do is to give the family a list of resources that are available within the community that have a link to Finnish culture. There could be a restaurant, small community, a library with information, or even a health spa. Saunas are huge in the Finnish culture. It is something that is started when children are very young, and some even have their last cleansing in a sauna after they die. It is a cultural thing that they take very seriously. Finding a resource like that within the community would be a friendly gesture to say "welcome home."
Hello Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog post this week. You came up with some great ideas to prepare for your family culturally. From language preparations to art projects. I believe that they will really feel comfortable and welcome in your classroom.
Hi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteWow! I now know more about Finland! I thought it was very interesting about saunas, and you had great ideas for art projects. Language is very important for learning about cultures, because that's how they communicate. I bet that the other children in the classroom would find it exciting to learn about the culture of Finland as well! Thanks for sharing :-)
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great country to learn about!! I like the website provided that showed more about the language. I also like how you talked about art. A lot of times art and reading are a great ways to break barriers of shyness. Children will start to join in on activities such as those!! Great work this week! Really enjoyed your post!!!
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!! I learned so much about Finland just from reading your post. If I was from Finland I would definitely want to come to your center. One of the things that I liked most about your post is how you would ask the family to come in and read in Finnish language. I am a huge fan of parent involvement and I believe that its important to involved family in the child learning. Students and family makes learning more enjoyable when everyone is on board in the learning process. Also, I like how you give them a list resources in the community. This is so important and welcoming for immigrants because they need to know what it available to them. Great Post!!!!
Aloha Jessica!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the many different ideas especially the art projects. I thought about creating a more culturally responsive environment with a welcome sign, but adding artwork to the curriculum is a great way to get the children involve and take more ownership of the classroom. Thanks for your suggestions.