Are You Raising Your Child to Be a Global Citizen?

We all want our children to show interest, awareness and respect towards other people, cultures, and countries. We want them to learn empathy, embrace diversity, and be able to see things from different perspectives.  

Beyond knowing that this way of thinking will create a much better world for them to live in, in an increasingly global society being globally-minded will be imperative to the next generation’s ability to succeed and thrive. 

But how do we go about teaching global-mindedness to our children? With TV shows, books, films, and our own experiences so often focused on our own country and culture, even the most curious children often lack opportunities to experience or understand cultures beyond their own.  

Here are a few simple ways to start sparking curiosity at home and raising your child to be a global citizen. 

Learn a few words a week of a different language 

Languages are an incredible tool to aid understanding of a different culture. There are many words across the world that don’t exist at all in English. Others may be words we use all the time, but their meaning in another language reflects the history and heritage of a people that we know little about. From learning that the Japanese have a word for when you still find space for dessert after a big meal, to using a Thai phrase that means feeling sulky towards family members, speaking a new word in a different language is not just fun for your family, but it’s something your kids will be excited to share with others.  

Discuss different perspectives on a theme that already interests your child 

Use dinner-time chats to help your child be well informed. Find a topic or theme that interests them already – it could be anything from fashion or farming to technology – and explore differences in approach around the world. 

Chat about why countries might need to approach an issue from a different perspective. Would that way of doing things work here? If not, why? Starting with something that already interests your child is a great way to spark curiosity and awareness in diversity. 

Celebrate cultures in your day-to-day routine 

Show a willingness to cook and eat different foods and an eagerness to understand or celebrate different customs or traditions. Whether it be through a snack, a meal, or even a song you listen to in the car, coming together as a family to appreciate and learn about customs around the world doesn’t have to mean departing from your normal routines.  

Fostering friendships with people from different cultures and exchanging customs is another great way for your kids to start learning global citizenship and appreciating differences from home. 

Books, Movies, and Games can all play their part. 

Raising your child to be a global citizen can start with the books they read, the movies they watch, and the games you play. Help the young inquisitive minds in your life choose books with stories set in diverse cultural backdrops, find child-friendly films that explore global themes, and play games that originated in different cultures. If you’re outside this summer, why not give the Brazilian game of Luta de Gallo a try! 

The opportunities for our children to start becoming aware of their place in the world are all around us. And at a time when travel might not be possible, become even more important. You might even find a new favorite family dish!

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