Welcoming Families From Around the World
The new child and family I’m going to be working with as a social service therapist is from the country of Tonga. Even though I know nothing about this country, Tonga; I’m ready to prepare this family with five things that will help them be culturally responsive in their new environment.
1. I would do some research and give the family information about local translators, medical care, and education in the area
2. I would learn some basic words that the family use; such as Hello and How may I help you
3. Learn some of their views about education, that will give me a better sense on how she was treated
4. Show large labels in the classroom about Tonga’s cultures (food, pictures, people, costumes, and music) and talk about it
5. Also, do research about their dominant culture, in reference to their race, religion, language, and family structure
I want to make this family feel welcome and hopefully the information will benefit me and the child about her background culture. By helping me relate more to them on an individual basis, I also want to be a dedicated and supportive therapist they can rely on. Lastly, I want to give their child the best I can give in learning about a new culture.
Hi Janet,
ReplyDeleteI think that doing research is an excellent way to learn about children and their family's culture. It will enable us professionals to better understand them and how one can overcome challenges and differences.
Janet, You pick a country I never heard of so I am very interested in researching the background of Tonga. I thought you made some good points on targeting great information to help the family.
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