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Here Are 10 Ways to Teach Your Children About Other Cultures

new cultural experience for kids

One of the greatest parts of raising children is helping to satiate their endless curiosity. Teaching them about other cultures can help them develop into well-rounded individuals who respect everyone they meet, no matter how different they may be. Here are some ways to help your kids appreciate people from all walks of life.

1. Learn About Famous Figures

One of the easiest ways to celebrate other cultures is by learning about the people who made a difference in them. Pick out a couple of famous figures from the place your children want to learn about. Help them research so they can present their findings to the rest of the family. Knowing more about the people celebrated in a particular culture can help your kids understand values and important events in its history.

2. Teach Through Food

Everyone loves food. You can do some research with your children to learn more about a few signature dishes from your chosen culture. Make a menu for the week that incorporates meals from the culture.

When possible, opt for whole grains and low-fat options to adhere to nutritional guidelines for children. Substitutions aren't always a possibility, but as long as you choose wholesome recipes, you'll find that your kids are getting nourished while learning more about different cuisines. You can even give them an age-appropriate task to do when cooking to make life easier for you.

3. Listen to Music

Music works as a universal language, as it tends to communicate the same emotions to people, no matter their culture. You can find some famous pieces from the region your family has selected.

Play songs for your children and ask what they feel when they hear the music. You can then give them context and explain why the piece was created or what it means. You might also learn a nursery rhyme in another language or one that's significant to the culture you've selected.

4. Tell a Famous Story

Do a little research on children's stories in the culture your family has selected to learn about. Fairy tales exist everywhere, so reading them as bedtime stories could expose your kids to writing from a different place.

Some fairy tales might be similar despite cultural divides. If you find one that seems like what you're used to, you can ask your child to compare and contrast the details. You can research any differences you find and tell your children why it was included.

5. Learn the Most Important Days

Celebrating holidays respectfully is a great way to teach your child more about different ways of life. Have someone from that culture speak to your children about the holiday and customs, so you know how to follow it in your own way.

Some holidays may make you do something outside the norm. The Night of Power, an essential and exciting time during Ramadan, entails changing your sleeping habits to experience the final 10 nights to their fullest. You can teach your family through respectful research rather than allowing them to try it themselves, so you don't risk throwing your children's sleep schedules off.

6. Trace Your Family Roots

Do you know where your family comes from? If not, take a DNA test or research your children's family tree. Help them build something and teach them about past generations and their accomplishments. Learning about your family history can reveal significant cultures that your ancestors came from.

7. Visit a Museum

Local museums contain a lot of history. If your family has remained in one place for generations, it's the perfect way to find out more about the environment your ancestors could have grown up in. Many museums also have interactive displays for children, meaning your kids will find plenty of fun ways to learn more about local culture. You can also travel to other museums to find out more about native and different influential cultures in your general area.

8. Complete a Craft

Look into some of the crafts children make in the culture you're learning about. See if they have any special significance or are just for fun. Teach your children about the meanings behind everything that goes into the craft as they're making them. Try not to choose something too tricky — you want your kids to focus on your words and the importance of the activity.

9. Learn a New Language

Some cultures may speak an entirely different language than the one you're used to. Luckily, learning a new language is relatively accessible from any smartphone or tablet. The top language-learning app, Duolingo, earned over $180 million in revenue last year, thanks to subscribers and language-lovers worldwide.

Still, you don't have to pay for their services and can make it a fun learning opportunity for your kids. You shouldn't expect to become fluent in a language overnight. Simply teaching your children a few key phrases is OK, like greetings and expressions of love and happiness.

10. Identify Aspects of the Culture

Your children may know where the culture they're learning about is located on the globe, but how much do they know beyond that? Consider teaching them about the demographics of those who live in that area.

Teach them about the environment and the habitats for certain animals. Tell them what they might find interesting about the food, money, books and toys there. If your kids love hearing about fashion, you can tell them about the clothes the people of this culture wear, too. You want them to learn as much as they can beyond just a surface level.

Celebrate Cultures Respectfully and Responsibly

Your family can learn more about different customs by selecting a culture to learn more about for a week or longer. It teaches your children to respect people who may live differently than they do. It also gives them an appreciation for other people and what they have contributed to society. Make it fun, and your kids will remember these lessons for a lifetime.