Ask the Author
Featuring Stacy York, author of Roots and Wings: Affirming Culture in Early Childhood Programs

Our Web master, Marc, has gone to China to adopt a two-and-a-half-year-old boy. He asks: How do I introduce my new son to the American culture while maintaining his connection to his Chinese roots and do you have any ideas how to keep a two-and-a-half-year-old entertained on an eighteen-hour flight?

Stacy York, author of Roots and Wings: Affirming Culture in Early Childhood Programs responds: To answer your first question, I suggest having a collection of children's books by Chinese American authors and illustrators as well as books about children and countries around the world. Consider including books on China as part of your collection of coffee-table books. Display some Chinese artwork in your home. Learn to cook some Chinese foods and make them a regular part of your diet. Collect some Chinese children's music and lullabies. Take in Chinese events that occur in your community; for example, if a Chinese theater troupe visits your town, take your son to see them. If your finances allow, plan to take a few (one to three) trips to China throughout your son's childhood.

As your son grows up, help him learn about the contributions of Chinese and Chinese Americans to the Western world. Also help him learn about and follow global issues as they relate to modern China. The next Olympics will be held in Beijing. Your son may not be old enough to appreciate that, but he may recognize some of the places, symbols, and artifacts he sees on TV. Overall, I encourage you to expand his understanding of China and Chinese Americans as he grows.

As for how to survive the airplane trip, my heart goes out to you. We didn't fly with our kids in those early days of the adoption, but we adopted all four of them from outside our state and endured numerous road trips. I'd suggest you hope for the best and plan for the worst. Dress him in really comfortable clothes. Bring extra clothes, wipes, and plastic bags in case he gets sick or soils himself. Our kids have done both as a result of the excitement, stress, and change. Although this may be difficult with new aviation regulations, bring as much to drink and as many snacks to eat as you can. When children want something to drink, they want it at that moment. Try to reserve bulkhead seats so you have some floor space, which will allow your son to get off your lap and move around, and he won't constantly be banging up against the seat of the passenger in front of you. Be prepared to take lots of walks up and down the aisle.

Normally, I'm not a big electronics fan, but this is where they are lifesavers. Bring along a laptop or portable DVD player with children's DVDs and music. Also consider bringing some simple drawing materials such as markers that only show up on special paper and don't stain anything else. Consider a sensory toy like a stress ball or a magnetic toy. Something a child can manipulate with his hands, such as a bead toy or lacing cards, can also keep him occupied. Right now, our two-year-old is into a collection of small plastic animals and metal cars. He often has one in each hand. We keep a collection of these toys in a small backpack he can take with him wherever he goes.

Keep in mind that some orphanages don't have a lot of toys. Your son therefore may not have a lot of experience with them and, as a result, his play may not be as sophisticated as other kids his age. In this case, you may want to choose toys geared toward younger children.

Stacey York has worked with children and families for thirty years. She teaches child development at Minneapolis Community and Technical College and actively incorporates diversity and the voices of people of color into all of her courses. For the past five years, she has explored integrating technology into adult learning. She teaches on-line and guides E-LECT (e-learning for early childhood teachers), a collaborative effort of the child development departments at thirteen Minnesota community and technical colleges.

In 2001 Stacey and her husband Dennis adopted two boys, ages five and seven, with special needs. Together they live on Kindred Spirit Farm, a sixty-acre farm outside the Twin Cities, where they have a vineyard, small orchards, gardens, horses, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, and a donkey. Stacey recently became certified in equine-assisted psychotherapy. She spends part of her summers working with children and horses. She shares her passion for strengthening families through celebrating holidays and seasons as a consultant for Time to Celebrate.