In researching articles for my challenge: Multilingual Families: Home/School Language Divide I found myself learning new strategies for working with immigrant families whose first language is not English. I also learned what it means to be culturally competent, the importance of continued self-reflection, examining my own cultural identity, and the important role that language plays in families perceptions and expectations of education.
The most surprising thing I learned was the important role that Early Childhood Education plays in the integration of immigrant families with their communities. We have all learned and can recite the benefits of Early Childhood Education but I never imagined that our Early Childhood Programs played such an important role for immigrant families and how they become integrated within their communities.
I hope to further investigate the challenges that rural communities face as compared to urban communities when it comes to addressing the needs of immigrant families. Many of us have a tendency to believe that immigration is only an urban issue but more and more rural communities are beginning to face challenges with meeting the needs of an ever increasing diverse society.
The thought that by continuing research in this area that we can create strategies to help rural and urban communities to meet the needs of immigrant families and in the end assist them in integrating into their communities is a huge motivation for me. By helping families integrate and become involved within their communities we can promote family engagement in education, student success, and reduce family stress for immigrant families.
The most surprising thing I learned was the important role that Early Childhood Education plays in the integration of immigrant families with their communities. We have all learned and can recite the benefits of Early Childhood Education but I never imagined that our Early Childhood Programs played such an important role for immigrant families and how they become integrated within their communities.
I hope to further investigate the challenges that rural communities face as compared to urban communities when it comes to addressing the needs of immigrant families. Many of us have a tendency to believe that immigration is only an urban issue but more and more rural communities are beginning to face challenges with meeting the needs of an ever increasing diverse society.
The thought that by continuing research in this area that we can create strategies to help rural and urban communities to meet the needs of immigrant families and in the end assist them in integrating into their communities is a huge motivation for me. By helping families integrate and become involved within their communities we can promote family engagement in education, student success, and reduce family stress for immigrant families.
