The Importance Of Nurturing Multi-Cultural Appreciation At An Early Age

Sara opened the door and took a peek into the playroom to check in on Lilly. She saw her daughter happily playing with her Asian dolls. Like so many times before, Lilly was attending 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 lips of her mother. Three 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 her new country. Yet Sara was quite aware 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 everyone. There are several easy yet valuable 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 a sponge. Use one or two of the plentiful resources that are at hand. For example, there are many great books for children that introduce multi-cultural material. Visit your community library or head to your favorite bookstore to check them out. There are also a plethora of internet sites available for children that provide a multi-cultural experience.

2. Make sure you as a mom or dad are mindful 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 great deal to your child, particularly as he or she grows.

3. Keep an open dialogue and embrace any queries regarding cultural practices or differences. The mind of a young one 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 there can be the idea that different equals bad. This can be particularly true for children as they often do not understand what they have 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 help mold his or her view of the world.

Sara knew that as the parent in a multi-cultural family she had the responsibility to teach 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 son or daughter the special and beautiful heritage of the many cultures of the world, there is much you can do to celebrate the diversity of the world.