5 Ways To Teach Your Children About Different Cultures

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Brittany, who blogs at Almost Indian Wife, is here today to share 5 tips to help us all introduce our children to various cultures.

One of the biggest things my husband and I have learned from raising biracial children is the importance in teaching them about different cultures. It’s easy to merely focus on the culture they are being raised in or they are around the most. However, our children are East Indian and Caucasian. This means my husband and I are constantly trying to blend two cultures in their lives. We are always looking for new avenues to teach them about both cultures.

As we’ve made this a priority, we’ve learned it doesn’t stop at just these two cultures. Our children need to be exposed to cultures around the world. Why, you may be asking? Why do I need to teach my kids about other cultures?

Teaching your children about the world will help them to feel engaged in a diverse world, stop the cycle of ignorance and discrimination, help them to understand their own culture, and broaden their horizons.

Here are just a few ways you can teach your children about different cultures.

1. Try Different Dishes From Around The World.

Trying different dishes is a fun way to experience the world from your own home. Take time as a family to look up popular dishes from around the world. You can try chicken tikka masala from India, mango sticky rice from Thailand, or dumplings from China. There is no limit to the food you can try.

Look up the recipe with your kiddos and have them help you prepare it. They will be introduced to new spices and flavors they may have never been introduced to before. Who knows maybe they will become a new family favorite!

2. Make Sure Their Books Show Diversity.

There are so many books out there! It’s easy to buy books that have characters with the same skin color as your kids. Kids tend to gravitate towards books with characters on the front cover that look like them. Mix it up and find books about many different races.

It only takes a few extra minutes to look for books with diversity.

3. Listen To New Music.

Fill your home with sounds from around the world. The music can be in a language foreign to your children or in English. They have it all! You can look up popular hits or find music videos with the words. You can listen to it at home and make it into a family dance party, you can listen to it in the car, or have it as background music.

4. Make A Craft With Your Kids.

Look up simple crafts online and help your kids create a masterpiece. You can make up your own craft or find crafts with instructions. Make homemade instruments used around the world, crafts unique to a specific country, or fun coloring pages. While your kids are working on their craft, tell them a bit about the country. What makes it unique? How do people there dress? What languages do they speak?

5. Attend Local Events As A Family.

Find local events or festivals going on in your city. Attend them as a family and you will all have a unique experience! A lot of times these events are full of food, music, activities, information on the festival/country, and a huge group of people to have fun with. Look them up early and schedule them into your family calendar!

It’s important to teach our children about diversity. Make it fun and do it as a family today!

 
Written by Brittany of Almost Indian Wife. Brittany and her husband have three boys under five. She blogs about her intercultural love stories, tips for blending cultures, good food, and spreading love for diversity. Follow her on Twitter at @almstindianwife.