Re: HELP WITH K STUDENT!

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I've had this situation several times and with children from
several countries including India. First, this is an
opportunity for the class -let's not overlook that. Teachers
and counselors alike need to be encouraging these children to
appreciate the opportunity to help another child and one
dealing with several challenges - how would they feel in a
new place in a new school and where they didn't speak the
language? Children are often naturally compassionate when
called upon to be. I would not be happy with the child who
refused him a 'high-five' because he cried and I would be
speaking to that child about compassion and the need for it.

> The Indian people revere education - these parents will
insist the child go to school no matter how loud or long he
cries. Like any child, this one will adapt - and he will
learn English quickly - sitting with him during the day can
only help not hurt. What would also help would be if someone
could learn a word, even two of greeting in his own language.
As India speaks many languages, it could be one of many but a
safe bet would be simply to learn the Hindi word "Namaste"
and to use it with his parents as well as the child. It is a
way of saying thank you and goodbye or sometimes hello all at
the same time. The gesture that is placing the hands
together, palms together would be one very familiar to him
and a warm way of helping him to feel comfortable.

There are Many websites these days with Hindi/English
translations - likely pictures with the Hindi words. You can
ask the father if he speaks Hindi - the parents certainly
will - all Indians learn Hindi in school even if it not the
language they use at home. The child will know some Hindi
even if it is not the language this family speaks at home.

Some other hints - when Indians shake their heads from side
to side - it means 'yes', not no.... Don't misinterpret their
head shaking - it means Exactly the opposite of ours. When
you see the parents, it's entirely appropriate and will be
MUCH appreciated if when parting, you raise your hands palms
together and say "Namaste'. You'll build bridges - watch the
film Gandhi if you want to see it done and learn about this
student's country at the same time.

This isn't just an opportunity for his classmates but truly
for the school to learn a bit about another culture and to
celebrate the great story that is our country - we're a
nation of immigrants - we all came from somewhere else. Maybe
some of the children in the class had grandparents or great-
grandparents born somewhere else and this would be an
opportunity to remind them of that and to have them ask their
own family about their origins.

I can't in the space of a post tell you how different India
is from here - the colors of India abound - orange and yellow
are everywhere - this child is now in a very different world
but with some kindness, outreach and compassion, he will
adjust quickly. I hope you have placed with the right teacher
for him - one who shows compassion to children and one who
has an appreciation for cultural diversity.
Good luck. Namaste.

>
> DO you have ANY suggestions on what we can do? Has anyone
> had a case like this before? If it was just separation
> anxiety I know how I'd go about the situation but in this
> case there is a major language barrier as well and
> everyone's a little confused on what we can do to help!!!
>
 

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