“What language do they speak in California?,” my son asked recently.
While we are still learning the difference between states and countries, I’m thrilled with the simple fact that he recognizes not everyone speaks the same language. My kids speak Spanish and English, but they know many more languages exist, and our goal is to expose them to as many languages as possible. It’s a first step in our efforts to raise children who are curious about the world around them and recognize the wonderful differences between people, cultures and languages.
Growing up, I was mostly surrounded by people who looked and sounded like me. I took two years of Spanish in high school but figured I’d never need it. Little did I know, I’d marry a man from Spain and my in-laws wouldn’t speak English. If that wasn’t enough, after college I moved from the Chicago suburbs to rural Nebraska. Talk about culture shock! The little bubble I grew up in burst (in a good way) and opened my eyes to how different things can be within the United States and also across the globe. I believe this exposure has helped me grow into a more curious, open minded and empathetic person. And this is what I want for my children.
The good news is that you don’t have to move across the country or travel the world to raise globally minded kids. There are so many rich and vibrant opportunities locally to expose your family to different cultures. Plus thanks to social media and the internet, we can see the world in ways we couldn’t when we were growing up. My hope is that by opening up my kids minds when they are young, they will respect and appreciate different cultures and seek out opportunities that take them out of their comfort zone when they are older.
Here are some ideas for raising globally minded children.
Grocery Shopping
Visit ethnic grocery stores and buy something you’ve never seen before. Wichita has several Hispanic and Asian grocery stores across town that carry varieties of produce and meat you can’t get anywhere else.
Dining Out
Venture out past the places that serve chicken nuggets on the kids menu. There are tons of locally owned restaurants that serve authentic foods from Thailand, Vietnam, India, Mexico, El Salvador, and Lebanon just to name a few. And besides getting a delicious meal, you’ll often be exposed to another language as well.
Exposure to Different Languages
Watch your kid’s favorite NetFlix show in a different language. You’ll be amazed at the variety of language options available. Or attend a Spanish story time at the Wichita Public Library and check out bilingual books. Many books have both English and the other language on the same page.
Seek out Festivals and Events
In the Wichita area, there are many family friendly events that highlight various cultures. For example, here are some happening in the next month.
– October 13-14: St. George Lebanese Dinner and Food Sale
– October 27th: Wichita Asian Festival
– November 3rd: Afternoon of Indian Delights
– November 3rd: Day of the Dead Celebration
Celebrate Global Holidays
With the help of your kids, research some holidays you don’t normally celebrate and make a big deal out of them. For instance, St. Patrick’s Day, Cino De Mayo or Chinese New Year. As a family, you can make traditional foods, talk about the history and listen to music from that country.
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