Inside: Ways you can teach your child to respect other cultures. Advertorial collaboration.
Teaching your child about diversity and multiculturalism is something which will help them navigate the world with tolerance and understanding toward those who are different to them. It’s important for children to realise that not everyone is the same as them and that different cultures and ways of doing things exist.
This both broadens their viewpoint and prepares them for travel internationally in the future. It also helps them respect differences between themselves and their peers at school. Here’s some tips from a pre-prep school in Somerset on how you can encourage your child to respect other cultures.
Participate in different cultural celebrations
Your child will be taught about various cultures and religions at school, and may celebrate some of their peers’ traditions with them. You can support this at home by investing in a calendar detailing all the different religious festivals and cultural traditions celebrated across the world, and marking them as special occasions. This is a great opportunity for you to teach your child about the world. Look out for local events and activities you can take them to so they can immerse themselves in other cultures, and encourage them to ask their friends questions about their traditions. Doing this with your child will instil in them a natural respect for difference.
Try world cuisines
Explain the different types of food that people eat across the globe and give your child the chance to try a variety of recipes from other cultures. You could make a day of it by shopping for the ingredients together and then cooking the meal, or alternatively ordering a takeaway can introduce them to alternative foods. When you’re cooking (or eating) you can talk about the culture the food comes from and some of their traditions. This will widen your child’s perspective while also expanding their palette.
Explore languages
School will give your child a chance to explore some other languages, but you can complement this at home with educational activities. Look for computer games or TV programmes which teach foreign languages in a fun and accessible way. If you have mixed heritage, make sure you celebrate this with your child and help them learn the second language. This will enable them to feel a connection to their heritage as well as giving them an important skill they can use later on in life.
You can also support your child’s understanding of different cultures by watching foreign language films and reading books from other cultures.