Sometimes it feels like the world is shrinking. We are more connected and our lives more intertwined than ever before in the history of the world with people from countries, continents, and cultures that we might never travel to see. Our children are growing up in an era when globalization is not only booming, but without the tools to interact on a global scale, our children could bust. Fortunately there are several things we can do to raise children who are globally conscious and engaged in more than just the neighborhood. You don’t even have to travel the world over to raise a child who is active in the world. Yes – your little pumpkin can have global reaches and participation without stamping a passport.
Expand Your Book Selection
Whether you are choosing picture books for your toddler or chapter books with your 9 year old, take the tiny extra effort to find books about other countries and cultures. Exposing children to books that have characters of varying looks, practices, and lifestyles helps to expand their global vocabularies. Make it a point to search for authors from other countries as well. Poetry is a good way to introduce older children to culturally diverse authors, and some of your favorite classics were probably written by someone who lived across the ocean. Research even shows that children can develop deeper levels of empathy when they are exposed to the characters of fictional writings. Reading fiction books about characters who live in foreign countries exposes children to real world global experiences and might also just help your child to be a better citizen.
Talk More – Especially in Foreign Languages
There are really not many excuses any more for waiting until high school or even college to learn a second language. Programs online, home curriculum plans, tutors, and community classes are all over the country waiting for the sponge-like brains of children. The younger a child is when exposed to foreign languages, the easier it often is for them to learn the new language. Exposing children to foreign languages is a natural step in exposing them to foreign cultures. It will also make it that much easier for your adult child to assimilate into the global community.
Infuse Geography into Your Home
Don’t keep the globes and maps tucked away on a bookshelf or in a closet. Even for the discerning eye for home décor there are globes and framed wall maps you can use to decorate your space and surround your kids with the world. If you’re a little more relaxed in your decorating schemes, place an inexpensive globe on the end table where your kids can easily reach it and use it. Create placemats out of maps and use floor maps for the travels of childhood toys like cars, trains, and even stuffed animals. Integrating geography into playtime and everyday life is an easy way to teach kids about the corners of the world.
Bring Culture Into Your Home
Bring other parts of the world into your home by hosting an international or foreign exchange student. In our community we have a university campus that works to place international students with host families. The students still live on campus, but we act as the “local family”, spending time with the international student, sharing customs and traditions, and learning from each other. Last year we met a wonderful young woman from Bangladesh who introduced us to her corner of the world, and we taught her about some American traditions, like jack-o-lanterns and farming.
If you can’t bring someone into your home, create your own international nights you celebrate as a family. Together do some research about specific countries and then put together an evening that celebrates what you have learned. Try new foods, listen to new music, and have the kids make some table decorations to coordinate the evening. My kids love to sit on pillows on the floor and experience Asian dining traditions or invite friends over to attempt making crepes for everyone.
Use Your Mouse
The internet has provided an unparalleled opportunity to learn about other countries. You can Skype with someone half-way around the world, have instant access to breaking news in another country, and have email pals (new-age pen pals!). Help your kids connect to the world through these and more online possibilities. The world is really waiting at their fingertips.
While we might not know what paths our children will take, we do know that their world is more interconnected than ours ever was. Make sure you also talk with your children about the struggles and triumphs of others around the world. Famine, natural disasters, and political unrest can be frightening for some kids to consider, but keeping communication open is essential for learning about the world around us. Teaching our kids to be socially and globally aware will help to ensure that no matter which paths they choose, they won’t be afraid to go further than their own front door.
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