How To Raise A Culturally Aware Child?

Raising a culturally aware child is of utmost importance. After all, who doesn’t want their child to value principles like equality and be socially accepting of diversity? While parenting to foster a passion for diversity, acceptance, and equality may seem like a daunting task, if you undertake culturally responsive teaching, it will be easier! Here are four tips to help you raise socially aware children:

1. Talk to them about privilege- Privilege may feel like an intimidating concept to talk about to a child, but children are curious, and they do notice social differences. They recognize gender differences, cultural differences, color differences by the age of four. Their social perceptions and attitudes are shaped accordingly. Talk to your child about diversity, cultural differences, and tell them how sometimes certain groups face difficulties because of that. Culturally responsive teaching helps your child respect differences.
 
2. Use the natural curiosity of children to teach them- Parents often shush their child when they ask questions about difference in public, be it about a disability or color difference. Don’t do that. You not only confuse the child but may also make the other person feel like you are unwilling to talk to them about diversity. A child’s curiosity is always worth addressing.

3. Ensure your child’s choice is diverse in terms of books and toys- The kind of books your child reads or the toys they play with have a lot of impact on how they perceive diversity and cultural differences. You may consider picking a bilingual, multicultural book every once in a while.
 
4. Allow your child to speak and listen- It is assumed that parents are always right. Most times they are, but never let power differential between you and your child get in the way of listening! Children are observant and have important as well as valid perspectives. You may disagree but allow your child to speak and learn about their perspectives. That way, you will get to know your child better.

Multicultural books are a vital part of culturally responsive teaching. If you want to buy a few, do visit Language Lizard. They have a good collection!