Welcoming Families from Around the World

ZIMBABWE

This week we were asked to choose a country we knew nothing about, and consider the hypothetical situation of welcoming a new family to my school who had recently moved from there.  Zimbabwe was the first country that popped into my head.  I have always been fascinated by Africa and wanted to learn more about it.  

In doing my research for this assignment, I found the following information useful in helping me relate to the family and make them feel more welcome upon their arrival.  I want them to know we embrace diversity and respect their culture, and I also want this attitude to be present with all the teachers and students.

1.  As you can see above, Zimbabwe is rated as "very low" on the global peace index.  There is much turmoil within their government and has been for years.  I found that Zimbabwe celebrates their Independence Day on April 18th.  In 1980, the government called for a ceasefire in a terrible war, created a Declaration of Independence, and began holding free elections.  On or around April 18th, I would plan to celebrate this Independence Day in class with the kids.  Obviously, I would prepare developmentally appropriate lessons and explain to them different countries have different holidays.  I would compare this day  with our own Independence Day, July 4th, and we would do art projects using the flag of Zimbabwe and maybe decorate our own cookies icing the colors of the flag.  I feel this would be a great way to celebrate their culture.

2.  My school offers a Cultural Enrichment class where children explore other cultures and countries in their classroom.  We usually teach them how to say a few words in each language. Mhoro is hello to an individual person, and Mhoroi is hello to a group.  I think it would be really cool for the class to make a poster welcoming the new child with this word, as well as have them say it!  They could even make a card for him to send home to his new family.

3.  In our cultural enrichment program, we also contact several preschools around the world and exchange correspondence.  With this family moving from Zimbabwe, I would approach them an early childhood contact in their country.  The class would make pictures and crafts for the children at that school and we would send them there.  The teachers would hopefully exchange correspondence to be read to the children.  

4.  We always invite the families of our cultural enrichment students to come in and share something from their culture with the children when we are studying specific countries.  We would plan to study Zimbabwe and invite the parents to bring in a snack, photos, or heirlooms from their culture to show the children.

5.  Our children have a rest time during our cultural enrichment class.  We put out mats and turn the lights down low and play soft music.  Zimbabwe is known for their music with the mbira, which is a thumb piano.  I would teach the children about the music and let it play during nap time.  We could also do music and movement, or play our own instruments to more upbeat music during class.

I think all of these activities would make the family feel welcomed, respected and appreciated.  I also feel that the family's involvement would be such a huge gift to the school.  As a leader, I am always looking for EVERYONE's gifts and talents, including my employees and our families.  Once I figure them out I always give opportunities for them to share these gifts with the good to expand their knowledge!