Home Hot Topics Articles Directors' Choice Awards About Us / Contact Us Activities & Curriculum Activities for Outcome-Based Learning Arts & Crafts Music for Learning Recommended Reading Sharing Boards: What Do YOU Think? NEWSlink Current National News Conference Calendar Topics In Early Childhood Education Art and Creativity in Early Childhood Education Job Sharing Board State Licensing Requirements Stay Connected! Each month we'll send you an email filled with articles and ideas for your classroom. Subscribe Now Date: 2/2/2007 4:25:00 PM Author: Linda (seinmelin@aol.com) Subject: non english speaking family You said they do not and will not speak English at home. Are you providing the daycare in thier home? If not you must communicate to this family that English is spoken in your home, and since you plan to continue to do so that this youngster will most likely "pick it up" naturally as young children adapt very well, and learn languages easily at a young age. You and the child will no doubt be communicating with each other easily with in a week or so. Pictures and Sign language were excellent suggestions, I was glad to hear that you will be learning some key phrases in their native tongue too. It sounds like even though its not spoken at his home that at least the Dad already communicates with you in English. Make sure that you continue to do this, find out from the Dad if he will be able to answer questions for his child regarding anything that he starts to learn in English that he starts to learn at daycare or if he will be ignored or punished if he trys to use his newly learned skills at home. If he indicates that they are planning to punish the child if he starts to use some of his newly learned English skills at home, then I would find a way to decline providing your services so that you are not going to end up putting him in danger by encouraging him to communicate with you in English; however if he indicates that no admonishment or punishment will be involved---other than stating to their child that they prefer to speak the other language then I would enjoy your new pupil and just behave as you normally would with any other child or family. Don't forget to learn and teach words meaning Danger, Fire, Hot, Walk, Stop, Be Nice, Clean Up, "Use Indoor Voices", and Potty in both languages to all involved including the children and parents of the others in your care so everyone will be able to communicate the basics. I can see where you'd be nervous but America is the melting pot; people have been immigrating here for hundreds of years and most seem to get along with their fellow man, woman and child! :) God Bless you. Name: Email: Subject

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