Teaching Your Child to Respect Other Cultures

Throughout your child’s lifetime, they will meet a range of people. Some will look like them, or share their opinions and beliefs, while others will be completely different. Regardless of who these people are, your child needs to know how important it is to treat them all equally. You can help your child learn to respect diversity using the following tips from an independent school in Bristol.

Talk About Cultural Diversity

Show your child a world map or globe and chat to them about the fact that people live in all of the different countries. They have different colour skin, speak different languages, have different religious beliefs, and even dress differently or enjoy different types of music. Explain to your child that even though these people are not the same as your child, they shouldn’t be treated differently; everyone deserves the same level of respect.

You shouldn’t be afraid to talk to them about stereotypes and racism either. Your child might repeat something derogatory that they’ve heard someone else say, which is an opportunity for you to introduce a conversation about discrimination.

Celebrate Cultural Traditions

Do some research and make note of some upcoming cultural traditions around the world that you could celebrate at home. Here are some examples:

• Eid
• Chinese New Year
• The Day of the Dead
• Hannukah
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas
• Diwali
• Easter

Celebrating these events will give your child an opportunity to learn about different cultures and what they believe in. So, try some new recipes and listen to some foreign music. You could even create some artwork from another culture. As a result, your child is far more likely to respect people with these differing backgrounds.

Be a Good Role Model

Try and show your child what it means to respect people who are different. Use kind language when talking to or about others, regardless of their race, and avoid segregating yourself based on your differences. You should also redirect any intolerant behaviour you notice from your child; talk to them about why they should be kind to people and focus on equality. It’s important that children have strong role models who treat them the right and wrong ways to behave.

Collaboration.