When welcoming newcomers into and early education environment it is important to ensure that families and children feel safe and welcomed.  To maintain and inclusive environment, those competing intake processes as well as professions who will be  interacting  with children and  families must be sensitive and responsive to differing racial, cultural, gender, and language needs.  If organizations are unaware of customs or language needs of different culture groups, it is best to do the research in advance.   Local government, multicultural brokers, translation services, colleagues, and families themselves can assist with the education process. Be prepared, but do not stereotype; recognize that all families are different, and try to follow their lead.

Within our environment, we have met many families from Somali. Somalia is the country of origin is located near the Horn of Africa.  According to Wikipedia (2014) many Somali’s also reside in Ethiopia, Yemen and Kenya as well a European and North American countries.  The dominant language is Somali.

This is a groups of people from Africa, who demonstrate follow the teaching of Islam, which prohibit discrimination and outline methods of public and private communication amongst the community members or same and opposite sex.  As Muslims, the women will wear traditional head cover and expectation to cover body part. The members of the community will not engage in activities that do not align with their beliefs.  Therefore, children should not be expected to engage in Halloween themed parties within educational environments. Intergeneration respect is expected amongst family members with equality also expected when in the community.  Women are the primary caregivers, however may also work outside of the home.

The Government of Canada (2009) suggests that a great way to start conversations with new families is to state  "Sidee tahay?" which can be translated to “How are You?”.  Compliments and discussion about family are seen as positive interactions.  Even the males like to receive commentary that they “have nice style”. A sense of humor is valued by the community and respect is provided to those in authority.  However, one must communicate at a respectable distance with a moderate tone of voice.  Voice levels that are too low or too high are negatively received.  Make eye contact, but avoid physical contact.  To be respectful of the culture, ensure that there is not too much exposed skin.  If scheduling meetings, it is important to note that the Somali’s may expect other to be on time, but may not engage in this behavior.

This are is war torn, however, intergeneration respect is taught within the family.  Women are the primary caregivers, however may also work outside of the home.

References

Boys with Guns. Retrieved February 14, 2014 from http://biyokulule.com/June_1990s(2).htm

Government of Canada  (2009).  Centre for Intercultural Learning.  Retrieved February 14, 2014 from http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/ci-ic-eng.asp?iso=vnhttp://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/ci-ic-eng.asp?iso=so#cn-1

Mogadishu.  Retrieved February 14, 2014 from http://biyokulule.com/June_1990s(2).htm

Somali Map.  Retrieved February 14, 2014 http://radiomuqdisho.net/?attachment_id=78459

Somalian Women.  Retrieved February 14, 2014 from https://www.google.ca/search?q=Somali&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=puL3UpfCE8Ge2AWk7oGgCA&ved=0CFAQsAQ&biw=1360&bih=760#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=AnTYKYZ5w9-e-M%253A%3BZ43W3EHyDZf8NM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fstmedia.startribune.com%252Fimages%252F630*418%252F3somali102711.JPG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.startribune.com%252F132670583.html%3B630%3B418

Traditional Hut. Retrieved February 14, 2014 from   http://www.mrsomali.com/

Wikipedia.  (February 7, 2014). Somali people.  Wikimedia Foundation Inc. Retrieved from    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali_people