HOW CAN TEACHERS HELP ASIAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN?
Teachers can adopt practices to address problems that relate to their unfamiliarity with Asian-American cultures and to the differences that exist in Asian-American populations. When developing curriculum and instruction that are developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, and methodologically adaptable, teachers should: * Familiarize themselves with the values, traditions, and customs of various cultures; and learn the migratory conditions specific to each of their students’ families. If possible, a home visit should be made to gain insight into the student’s family life and support system (Baruth & Manning, 1992). * Learn at least a few words of their Asian students’ native languages. By showing such interest, teachers can set the tone for better communication. Classroom teachers should also collaborate with language professionals and ESL teachers (Trueba & Cheng, 1993). * Encourage parents to help children maintain their native language at home, while the school helps the chi
