- Image by sarspri via Flickr
Let’s face it. The world of tomorrow will be a globally interconnected community. It’s important to cultivate your child’s awareness of the international community. By exposing your child to other cultures, you can help your child develop an open mind. On a practical side note, you are also helping your child create a distinct edge in the future job market.
Read Books
Read books with your child about other cultures. Find visual books or publications with attractive images of other countries. You can even surf the internet and look at photos. Have discussions with your child that compares and contrasts other cultures with your own. Remind your child to practice acceptance when it comes to other cultures and traditions.
Language
Have your child learn a second language. There are many programs and books that offer foreign language skills for children of all ages. After all, learning a foreign language during childhood is the most opportune time to become fluent.
Environment
Create an environment at home that embraces all types of cultures. Several shops offer global decorative imports. Fill your home with the sounds and folk music of other cultures. You can also take your child to a cultural museum to learn about other cultures. One day, you may even want to plan a trip for your family to another country to gain a full-fledged experience that can positively impact your child in many ways.
Food
Expose your child to food from other cultures. You can make foreign dishes at home or even visit an ethnic restaurant. Consider having Mexican, Chinese, Greek, Japanese or other foreign cuisine on a rotating basis.
Friendships
Have your child develop multicultural friendships with other children. You can even find a program that can set your child up with a pen pal from another country.
