Hearing Parents in Every Language

“When a child of another culture comes to me,” writes Holly Elissa Bruno in the book, Art of Leadership: Engaging Families in Early Childhood Organizations, “I naturally respond according to my own assumptions. For example, I expect girls and boys to have a right to the same opportunities…

Mr. Khan’s heritage allows more rights to males than females. He asks if I will treat [his son] Amin as a prince, while teaching [his daughter] Roshan obedience. My gut reacts righteously: ‘Never!’ I have no room for wonderment, only judgment. What if instead, I set aside for the moment my assumptions so that I can ASK and LISTEN to Amin and Roshan’s dad? Can I open myself to hear about the traditions, practices, and hopes of this man who differs form me? If I listen in wonderment, might I learn how this father loves his children? That he wants the best for them?”

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