Tips For Raising Children In A Multicultural World
My organization, Parents as Teachers National Center, provides support to thousands of local programs worldwide who bring child development information to parents in their own homes. The information they share helps parents understand what to expect next as their little one grows and develops. Last year our programs worked with families who identified themselves as African-American, American-Indian, Asian, European-American, Hispanic/Latino or multi-racial. About half of our programs had families whose primary language is Spanish. And that was just in the United States!
The number of immigrant households in the United States has risen over the last five years. Increased immigration leads to an increased multi-cultural environment for the U.S. which is a good thing! But it also leads to a greater need for understanding of others. Our early childhood experts say that babies start to notice differences by 6 months of age, sometimes even earlier. Here are five things you, as a parent, can do now to help raise your child as a citizen for tomorrow’s world.
- Be a role model of appreciation and respect for differences – Children learn what is socially acceptable by watching and listening to the important adults in their lives. That’s you! When your child sees you respecting differences among people, he will grow to do the same.
- Understand that young children notice differences – Don’t be embarrassed by your child’s observations or questions. As adults, we may cringe as our preschooler says out loud, “Why can’t that man walk?” From a very young age children notice differences without placing a value judgment on what they observe. Answering questions in a matter-of-fact way encourages them to explore and accept differences. They will learn it is okay to ask about differences if it’s done in a respectful way.
- Celebrate your family’s traditions – Celebrate and teach your child about his culture and his family’s values and traditions. Learning about his family’s background helps him understand his own unique identity. When you practice cultural traditions you are making memories your child will treasure for a lifetime and creating a special bond you both can enjoy.
- Enjoy music, books, toys and art from different cultures – Play a lullaby from a different land for your baby, give your toddler a unique toy from another culture, or read a folktale from a different part of the country to your preschooler. Talk about the differences and similarities you see or hear, and show your child how much you value diversity.
- Go to a different neighborhood to play or eat lunch – Seek out parts of your area where people from diverse backgrounds live. Have a casual conversation with another family on the playground or other public place. Your child will see human diversity as a part of everyday life if he is exposed to a variety of people and environments.
About Parents as Teachers National Center
Pat Simpson joins the MOMbo TV community from Parents As Teachers. Based in St. Louis, Parents as Teachers National Center is the resource base and backbone of Parents as Teachers, a parent education and early childhood development program serving parents throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually age 5. The nonprofit National Center oversees more than 3,000 programs offering Parents as Teachers services nationwide as well as in several other countries. For more information about Parents as Teachers, visit www.ParentsAsTeachers.org.
That is something that if taught at an early age, kids grow knowing we all are the same, no differences, no superiorities, same values. Very good that you decided to touch on that.