The Importance of Developing Multi-Cultural Awareness at an Early Age

One of the reasons my business partner and I started Village Works is because we saw a lacking of puzzles that taught about cultural awareness. It has taken many years, but we were able to start developing children's puzzles and we continue to work on new ones. This article begins to explain that importance we were thinking of in terms of the adoption community. In light of recent catastrpphic events in faraway lands where many children are or will be brought into the adoption system, I thought this piece was particularly interesting. Please read on.


Sara poked her head into the playroom to check in on Lilly. She saw her daughter happily playing with her Asian dolls. Like so many days, Lilly was having a tea party with her imaginary friends, complete with Asian dinnerware, cookies, and homemade place mats. She was lost in her play time and it brought a smile to the face of her mother.

Several years ago when Sara adopted Lily from China it was the happiest day of her life. As they boarded the plane for the flight back to America, she thought of all the wonderful opportunities Lilly would have in the States. Yet Sara was very mindful of how important it would be for Lilly to love and respect her birth culture. Many adoptive parents share this very important perspective. Creating a multi-cultural awareness in the home is not only important for adoptive families but for all families. There are a few simple practices that families can incorporate into their lives to increase multi-cultural appreciation and awareness.

1. Begin teaching your children about other cultures at the earliest possible age. Young minds soak up information like none other. Use some of the plentiful resources that are at hand. For example, there are many great books for children that introduce multi-cultural material. Visit your local library or head to your favorite bookstore to check them out. There are also an abundance of internet sites available for children that provide a multi-cultural experience.

2. Make sure you as a parent are aware of any cultural holidays or significant traditions from the birth country of your child. Find ways to celebrate these holidays or take part in these traditions. This will mean a lot to your child, particularly as he or she grows.

3. Keep an open dialogue and welcome questions regarding cultural practices or differences. The mind of a child is often filled with questions. Children are inquisitive by nature and need to feel free to ask questions when they do not understand what they are taking in with their senses.

4. Celebrate the differences that exist between various cultures. Sometimes the misconception exists that different equals bad. This can be particularly true for children as they often do not understand what they do not experience. By celebrating cultural differences a child can learn that different is not wrong or scary.

5. Remember that you are the primary influence for your young child. As a parent, you have an amazing opportunity and responsibility to teach your child and to shape his or her view of the world.

Sara knew that as the parent in a multi-cultural family she had the responsibility to educate her small daughter. Teaching her daughter to love and respect the culture in which she was born was so very important. Whether or not you are a multi-cultural family or whether you simply feel a responsibility to teach your children the wonderful rich heritage of the many cultures of the world, there is much you can do to celebrate the diversity of the world.

Connor R. Sullivan is very pleased with the Asian dolls he and his wife chose online. His wife loved her new Asian dinnerware she recently purchased.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connor_R_Sullivan


Part of the start of our mission to help develop a child's awareness of his or her own culture was the development of this puzzle inspired by our historical American election. With this puzzle a parent or teacher can bring up the political topic to talk about with their child. They can dicuss the basics about what it takes to be president. And they can discuss what they too can do to help bring about change in their world. This is just the start. More "Yes, I Can..." puzzles are in the works. But if you want to see something specific, just let us know.