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
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
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
.jpg)
