I spoke with my brother in law who grew up in Equador, he gave me some insights into the “real” equador.  He told me one of the favorite instruments from his childhood was the “finger piano”.  He mentioned that music plays an important role in traditions and holidays. 

He also mentioned that there are very distinct ways of dressing based on which part of the country you are from.  Those that live in the mountains will carry their infants-preschoolers on their back so they can walk from village to market.  How women and men wrap their serape can tell you which part of the country they are from.

He mentioned that much of the fresh produce sold in fresh air markets are hauled in large baskets on the head from the more remote areas.  Quito, is unique mixture of urbanites and the indigenous populations living in concert.

He told me the main language spoken in Ecuador is bi-lingual English and Spanish or Portugese/Spanish.  Many of the indigenous populations have their own unique dialect of Spanish.

There is a combination of weather despite being located close to the equator due to the higher elevations of the mountains and volcanoes.

There are a variety of ways that children go to school in Ecuador.  My brother in law attended a boarding school in Quito while his parents were missionaries in the neighboring mountainous villages.  He recalls seeing the open-air classrooms in a hut in the center of the village where his parents lived.  Many of the schools require children to wear uniforms.

What to do to welcome the new student:

Have a lengthly conversation with the family about what they will remember from their time in Ecuador?  Ask them what brought them to America?  Where does their extended families live?  
What are some things we could do to make their child feel welcome and comfortable?  What are things if any that their child is struggling with.  Asking the family which area of Ecuador they lived in and what their lifestyle was like? Find out what languages they speak at home, then ask for their assistance in labeling common items in the classroom. 

Offering some music from Ecuador along with musical instruments like a thumb piano accessible.    Work with the family to incorporate art materials that would reflect what children in Ecuador might use.  Find out if there are favorite games their child enjoys playing or other activities unique to Ecuador.

Ask the parents to bring pictures of their life in Ecuador to share with the rest of the students.