Category: Creative Parenting

Today’s guest post on Creative Kids Ideas comes from Dan Gilbert on behalf of Primrose Schools. So without further ado, here’s Dan!

 

 

Limited primarily to their family, neighborhood and school a young child’s view of the world is relatively small. Explaining that the world is a much larger place than that can be difficult. Preschool children can learn to expand their worldview by discovering that the world is made up of many neighborhoods full of diversity and culture.

Explaining the concept of “diversity” to your young child might feel like a complex lesson. However, preschool children can use their imagination and learning to discover a whole knew world that is much larger than they thought. Through music, sports and even wildlife around the world you can make up lessons and games that will be fun for your child while they learn about diversity. You will help spark your child’s understanding of the vast size and rich texture of our global community.

“We live in a diverse world. By teaching children to appreciate other cultures from an early age, you will help them develop compassion and seek out shared values,” said Dr. Mary Zurn, vice president of education for Primrose Schools. Living with diversity is not a choice; it’s a fact. By teaching our children about diversity at a younger age we will be preparing them for preschool and life beyond. Accepting others for who they are comes from appreciating and respecting the culture and lifestyle they come from.

 

These few tips from Dr. Zurn can help you begin to explore the diversity of others with your child:

 

Read a Book. Although it may seem to simple, reading to a child is one of the best ways to introduce them to different types of families, children and people from all over the world. Culture can come to life through different stories, characters and themes. Try to find books that will be easy for your child to relate to. Pictures are a great starting point for discussions about diversity. Some suggestions for books are:
•    It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
•    Children from Australia to Zimbabwe: A Photographic Journey Around the World by Maya Ajmera and Anna Rhesa Versola
•    The Crayon Box That Talked by Shane Derolf

Share Your Family History. Understanding others begins with an understanding of oneself. It also builds a child’s awareness of their family history and their own culture. Use old photos and any memorabilia you may have from your childhood. Family air looms are also a great addition when telling stories about past family members. Children love hearing stories, so the more visual you make it the easier it will be for them to understand and remember. They will probably ask for more stories and for stories to be told over and over!

Listen to Music. Share your family’s cultural heritage through music. Play music from your family’s country of origin, your region of the United States, or favorite songs you sang as a child. Then play music from other cultures or parts of the country. Ask your child to identify the similarities and differences.

Think Outside the Box. There are many opportunities out there for you and your child to experience different cultures, it just depends on if you recognize them and celebrate them. Simple things like going to an ethnic restaurant, visiting museums and going to festivals are all fun ways to explore different cultures. Be sure talk about your experience though, your child may not understand or recognize the cultural differences if you don’t have a discussion about it. Becoming friends with families that are different from your own will increase your family’s appreciation of cultural differences.

The more you express your interest in learning about cultural differences the more interested your child will be. Dr. Zurn said, “Encourage a celebration of cultures near and far, including your own, to help your child grow to be an accepting, compassionate adult, who values the differences in others.”

Submitted by Dan Gilbert on behalf of Primrose Schools. For over 25 years, they have helped individuals achieve higher levels of success by providing them with an AdvancED® accredited, early child care services and education.  Through an accelerated Balanced Learning® curriculum, Primrose Schools students are exposed to a widely diverse range of subject matter giving them a much greater opportunity to develop mentally, physically and socially. Dan has written a number of articles on topics varying from bilingual learning to teaching the importance of volunteering.