The month of December is host to a wonderful treasure of celebrations including Christmas, Hannuka, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Eid al Adha and Bodhi Day. In our increasingly diverse world, teaching your children about other traditions helps them learn to respect and appreciate others' differences. Our world is a richly patterned quilt!
Perceptions about differences can begin as early as just a few months old. That's why the National Center for Parents as Teachers encourages parents and their children to celebrate diversity this holiday season by: * EDUCATING YOURSELF ABOUT OTHER CULTURES.
Check out the local library for books for both you and for your child about different cultures. That way you can share knowledge and understanding with your child and dispel stereotypes and misconceptions. * EXPERIENCING OTHER CULTURES
Participate in different celebrations, take part in community events or maybe attend other religious ceremonies so your family can learn from firsthand experience what other cultures are like. You may even host a party with different foods, songs, decorations and games to celebrate a variety of traditions. This casual exposure helps children feel at ease with the various cultures. * LOOKING THROUGH YOUR CHILD'S EYES.
Children are born without bias. Teach your child that a friend may celebrate different holidays or in different ways but that he is still a friend. This helps a child appreciate differences and understand that different does not mean better or worse -- just different. For more parenting tips like these, visit www.ParentsAsTeachers.org.
Perceptions about differences can begin as early as just a few months old. That's why the National Center for Parents as Teachers encourages parents and their children to celebrate diversity this holiday season by: * EDUCATING YOURSELF ABOUT OTHER CULTURES.
Check out the local library for books for both you and for your child about different cultures. That way you can share knowledge and understanding with your child and dispel stereotypes and misconceptions. * EXPERIENCING OTHER CULTURES
Participate in different celebrations, take part in community events or maybe attend other religious ceremonies so your family can learn from firsthand experience what other cultures are like. You may even host a party with different foods, songs, decorations and games to celebrate a variety of traditions. This casual exposure helps children feel at ease with the various cultures. * LOOKING THROUGH YOUR CHILD'S EYES.
Children are born without bias. Teach your child that a friend may celebrate different holidays or in different ways but that he is still a friend. This helps a child appreciate differences and understand that different does not mean better or worse -- just different. For more parenting tips like these, visit www.ParentsAsTeachers.org.
