A Guide for Newcomer Parents About School in Canada
The
Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation has
a guide that will help to address some of the questions that immigrant and refugee parents may have about the school system in Canada, and give them the opportunity to address how their parenting role may be different in Canada than it was in their home country.
Impact of Second Language/Bilingualism at An Early Age
Many children grow up hearing and using more than one language. Parents, educators and legislators alike take an interest in research findings on child bilingualism in a concerted effort to ensure that bilingualism does not put children at any intellectual or emotional risk. Research has shown that bilingualism actually has some significant socio-cognitive advantages.
Read more
How Discrimination Impacts Children from Immigrant Families in the Early Years
Many children from immigrant families experience discrimination in school during their early, impressionable years.
This report describes how discrimination in the early years can affect a child’s development, outlines the types of discrimination that young children of immigrants may experience, and concludes with recommendations that focus on training teachers, building relationships between schools and immigrant communities, and encouraging more varied, culturally sensitive learning experiences.
What factors influence how well an immigrant family functions?
Moving to a new country is a significant event in a child’s life. It is important to have a good understanding of the factors — both in the host society and in the immigrant family — that create opportunities, benefits, and difficulties in the development of immigrant children.
Read more
New Research Study on the Impact of Discrimination on the Immigrant Child
The past 15 years have seen a surge in research examining the discrimination of the children of immigrants, and what the psychological and educational consequences are.
This report focuses on incidents of direct discrimination, as perceived and noticed by the child—incidents with identifiable educational, psychological, physical, and social repercussions.
Four reasons children should learn their home language
To speak or not to speak? How important is one’s home language or mother tongue? These are questions that immigrant families ponder. While there is no clear answer to the questions, here are four factors to consider.
Read more...
How to Engage Newcomer Families in Your Early Childhood Program
Parent involvement is important in early childhood education. Many creative opportunities exist for parent involvement in early childhood programs, but there is often a lower percentage of parent participation from parents in the diverse community. Find ideas for helping parents become more involved
here...
Developing Cultural Understanding: Tips for Administrators
Early childhood administrators play a critical role in helping their staff understand individual histories and ideologies regarding education and learning as well as the cultural patterns and beliefs of the families they work with. Find tips for developing cultural understand in your programs
here...
Cultural Competency: What it is and why it matters
Cultural competency is the ability to work effectively across cultures. For individuals who work with immigrant children and families, it is an approach to learning, communicating and working respectfully with people different from themselves. Learn more about cultural competency
here...
Space Speaks! Early Childhood Spaces and Cultural Diversity
Parents and children feel valued when there are visual representations of their culture/community throughout the program, and when program staff speak their home language. This also helps children develop a sense of belonging. Find ideas for helping children and parents feel welcome in your program
here.
