How can I get my kid to appreciate other cultures?

It’s no secret: we are a diverse nation of immigrants. So my dilemma is similar to yours. Thanks to his parents, my son claims four nations, including America, as his homeland. Not only is he a hybrid of many cultures, he lives in a world where faraway lands aren’t quite so, well, faraway. The exchange of goods, migrating people, and technology allows our children to grow up around many other different cultures. How can I make sure he’s learning about other cultures and staying connected to his own?   

While some of the schooling will happen naturally, there are things parents can do to raise a culturally conscious and culturally proud child.

Appreciate culture through food: Whether you’re teaching your child about your own culture or other cultures, making food together is a nice and inexpensive way to accomplish that. As a family we make a typical dish (ceviche is a favorite) from our home country at least once a month. We also attempt to replicate delicacies from all over the world. Shrimp curry from Thailand, anyone? What about avocado cucumber rolls from Japan? Some good sites for recipes are: allrecipes.com, about.com/food and foodnetwork.com. We also venture out and expand our palate by eating at local places that specialize in foods from other cultures. We often find that waiters are more than happy to engage in questions about how to eat the dishes or make recommendations. A restaurant is also a good place to be a spectator on a country’s customs. For example, how do they greet each other?

Attend cultural events: Local festivals and parades are a great way to see how people from different countries celebrate their culture. Often, there are also vendors selling crafts and food at these events. You’d be surprised how much fun attending a Chinese New Year’s celebration could be.

Find cultural hubs: Why not head to your nearby Little Italy or Little India? What about Chinatown? Venture into the shops and check out their wares.

Dig up some interesting factoids: I find that I get my son’s attention when I talk about technological advancements or contributions our home countries have made. He’s happy to learn that his ancestors figured out important mathematical concepts we use today. He also loves that some of his favorite sports are rooted in his culture. Think about the architecture around you and use it as a way to talk about your culture, as well as other cultures too.