Teaching culture and diversity to kids is prep for acceptance, kindness, and understanding of others that may have differences from your own. If your hope is to raise kids who are culturally aware, have a positive and accepting spirit, and are kind toward others then you are in the right place. You will find simple teachings in everyday opportunities for exploring culture and diversity with your kids.
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Culture and Diversity represent something that is positive, something unique, something beautiful, something that represents a range of different experiences that can be appreciated by others. This is what I want to teach my children. So the next point is to figure out how to teach this in a loving way. One that can filter through what is presented in the world today. Just keep in my mind we are focusing on small children where the foundation is most important.
Continue all the way through for several freebies to help you with your teaching!
When To Start….Now!
The goal is to give kids a foundation by which to see the world. As a result of this foundation when presented with the reality of the world they will have the tools to become positive contributors to the solution. This process begins as early as they can understand.
- Our responsibility as moms is to build up the future citizens of the world. The sooner we begin to look at what this entails the more time we have to pour those characteristics into our kids.
- A major part of this is assuring our children have a healthy view of those who are different from themselves. I am intentional in pointing out differences, not to criticize or to be negative. It is important to point out, celebrate, and appreciate differences.
- I say to my kiddos often ‘oh wow how unique’ and begin to discuss all of the qualities that makes that particular thing unique. Yes, I focus on things and not people to start. Just stick with me here and I will explain. The point is to create a welcoming space for curiosity, questions, and healthy discussion.
For some this process may begin much later. There is no time like the present. Be active in exploring this topic with your children. The world can be confusing and overwhelming to understand. At any point we can be called on by our children to filter through any situation with wisdom, clarity, and security.
Assess Our Cultural Awareness
I hate to admit this but I have noticed peoples biases toward my own toddler in different settings. Although this is hurtful, it reminds me of the work I have ahead with instilling a better mindset in my own children. The world around us has a lot to do with the creation of our biases. Some of us are conscious of these biases but some are hidden in our subconscious. In order to give the best to our children we must explore the conscious and subconscious. Only then can we be certain we are functioning with the best intention and with the best information.
Here is a list of areas to explore on your own regarding biases and overall awareness. Be honest and be gentle with yourself.
Brief Cultural Awareness Assessment
AWARENESS
- Do I view the differences of others as a positive and something to appreciate?
- Have I developed a clear sense of self and my own ethnic, cultural, and racial identity?
- Can I share my culture and learn about others?
- Am I aware of my discomfort when I come across differences in age, race, religion, sexual orientation, language, and ethnicity?
- Do I have assumptions about other cultures?
- Can I reflect on how culture can inform my judgement?
- Am I aware of how the lives of other populations different from my own are impacted by power, privilege and social oppression?
KNOWLEDGE
- I will make and learn from my mistakes
- Yes, I acknowledge I am not fully knowledgeable of certain cultural groups and commit to learning more
- I will ask questions and listen to the answers
- Yes, I will acknowledge the importance of being different and accepting difference
- I will explore the historical experiences of other cultures and commit to learning more in the long term
- Yes, I understand the influence culture has on others
- I am special but no more special than anyone else.
Use Age Appropriate language
Talk At Our Level
Small children understand same and different. They also understand fair and not fair. These are concepts and language to use when discussing big topics with little bodies. Engage in conversation to keep them engaged. Ask open ended questions.
Use the FREE script below to introduce the topic of culture and diversity.
FREE TODDLER SCRIPT
Common Words Defined
Before moving forward please take a glance at the most commonly used words AND their definition when discussing culture and diversity. If you come across these words you will have the adult and kid friendly definition to make things a little easier.
Multicultural Experiences
Healthy exposure to other cultures can widen your child’s bubble and make them more aware of the world around them.
I think about the creation of my children’s tribe everyday. I think about how I grew up and who participated in my growth in my childhood years. As I reflect I realize my tribe consisted of a wide range of people and personalities who contributed to who I am. My mother is a friendly sole and people flocked to her. As a result my friends growing up were just as diverse as the range of people she attracted.
Because of my relationships with diverse friends and having unique experiences I was able to learn more about the world, what I was able to do in the world and who I am in the world. Your tribe as a parent is not just your support system. It also represents how to love colorblind which is seeing character before anything else.
You will see below some opportunities for multicultural experiences.
Redirect Intolerant Behaviors
Children are first able to comprehend fair and unfair. I use this language when settling spats. Teaching a standard for respecting others with using kind words, respect a persons personal space, share, be fair, having good intention sets our children up for speaking against injustices.
These are the same standard of respect your child will use as adults. Our children to connect this standard to situations they experience.
For example: One of my children often test limits so we use this language daily. My children are beginning to use this language and apply this standard with each other. It cuts out the middle man ‘me’ which is great. However, it has created other issues. Now I have a bossy boots on my hands but we will continue to work on it.
Nevertheless, we are responsible for giving our children the confidence and language to speak up when they see injustices. More importantly we are their first example. If your first response to someone cutting you off in traffic is to use language good for a trash can then expect to hear samplings of this language from time to time. Be the example you want to see.
Resources
Books
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
This is how We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from Around the World by Matt Lamothe
Flashcards
African American Month is approaching in February. Here are some flashcards of well known and not so celebrated figures.
Check back later for more free resources to further your teachings with your children.
Toys
A collection of multi-ethnic diversity puppets/dolls/figurines
Experiences
Visit museums
Eat from restaurants with diverse foods
Watch movies with main characters that are diverse
Friends
Don’t be a hermit. Meet your neighbors and make an effort to make pals of different ethnicities. Now things have changed in the world and meeting face to face is not really the best option. If some of you are as old as I am you remember pin pals. It could be fun to have a group of neighbors and/or school friends use this old method of communicating. In other words, make your tribe diverse.
Keep It Simple
Simply put explaining culture and diversity to kids can be quite simple if you incorporate inclusion and diversity into everyday family life. Key areas like using kid friendly language, offering opportunities to engage with other cultures, practice unity, create an open safe and comfortable space for asking questions and expressing curiosity, and rebuking narrow minded speak and behaviors will help to create an open and kind hearted human beings.
If you want to learn more about how to teach your child about other cultures check back later. We will take a deep dive into many cultures and offer activities to keep your little ones engaged. You may also find more at Amazing Resources For Teaching Early Learners Holistically.
