Welcomng Families From Across the World

                                                IVORY COAST

The name of “your” family’s country of origin

Ivory Coast

At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

1.     I would learn the history of the Ivory Coast through extensive research, because I want to be familiar with the basic traditions, values, and environment of the country. I would also have to find out the families language preference to see if need to include a language specialist in my entry process, however since the family is bilingual, I do not have to use a language specialist, and English is a language that is spoken in their home.  
2.     I would learn about the cultures of the Ivory Coast through reading books, classes, and workshops.  To become more familiar with the family, I would communicate with them through emails, newsletters, or via satellite to get a better understanding of their culture, and to see if the information I have read reflects what the family tells me.  I would listen to the parent’s perspective on what culture is for them.

 3.    During my communication process with the parents, I would find out what do they want for their children while being in our program.  I would find out what are their goals, and the care and education practice that best meets their child’s needs. 

4.    Before the child enters the program, I would ask the parents if I could observe the child and family culture through internet or through web cam.  But if the family is already settled within the community, I would do consistent home visits with the family.  I believe that I can read about the culture of a family, but observation is a key aspect of truly experiencing a different culture.

5.    After I have received and processed the information that I have read and the insights that I have gained from the parents and my observation, I will create an environment that is cultural responsive to the needs of the child and their family.  For example, in communicating with the parents, I found out that music is a very important to the child and the family culture; therefore I would include various drums in the setting.  Also in the educational setting, I will include appropriate and learning material of the child’s culture.  My goal is make sure the child and family have an easy transition into my program.

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

I hope that each statement will prepare me in providing the best care to the child so that the child can receive a cultural and individual developmental appropriate education.   Many children from the Ivory Coast do not attend school to age 6 and usually they are males; information like this will help me prepare for the incoming of the child and their culture  These statements will prepare me to have a responsive and open relationship with the child and the family.  Through these statements I have acquired education about a child and their culture that will benefit the developmental outcome of the child. 

 Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivory_Coast