It is important for parents and schools to educate children about different backgrounds and cultures. This will not only teach them about many interesting traditions and customs, but it will also help children to respect and celebrate diversity.
Here is some great advice from an independent school in Hampstead on how to teach your child to respect other cultures…
Set a good example
Children are heavily influenced by their parents’ opinions and behaviours, so it is important to set a good example when it comes to respecting other cultures. If your child sees you treating all people equally, regardless of their skin colour of beliefs, they will do the same. Celebrate diversity and nurture your child’s respect for other cultures by actively learning about them. Encourage your child to spend time with relatives or friends who can teach them about life in another country, where the culture is completely different to the one they know.
Learn together
Spend time with your child learning about different cultures. This could be online, with books or by visiting museums and art galleries. You could choose a different country each week and try to find out interesting facts. Another fun way to learn about other cultures is to explore various holidays and celebrations that take place around the world. These might include Diwali, Ramadan or Hanukkah. Add these events to your family calendar and use each one as an opportunity to learn about the traditions taking place.
Explore new foods
It’s always interesting to know about how other people from around the world do things, what their language and history is, and what they eat. Food is a great way to expand your child’s cultural awareness. Cooking together and trying new foods will introduce your child to many new flavours and ingredients from across the globe. In addition, your child will learn about different eating utensils and dining etiquettes used by others. For example, some cultures use chopsticks and some eat with their hands. If your family hasn’t tried chopsticks before, perhaps you could give them a go!
Laura x