For many young children, their home and their school make up their entire world. Their existence is populated by a handful of friends and family, and any minor deviation from their everyday routine is an exciting adventure.
But as they grow older, kids start to gain an appreciation of their place in the universe. They need to understand that the world is a big place, and they are just a small part of the bigger picture. It’s important to teach children about the world, as it will help them to gain a sense of place as well as an understanding of different cultures and ways of life. It will help them to become more tolerant and respectful of people with different backgrounds, and may also instil in them a love of adventure that will add colour and meaning to their adult lives.
There are many ways to teach children about the world, and here are just a few ideas to get you started.
Travel
The best way for a child to learn more about the world is to actually see it for themselves. Make travel a priority when raising your little ones, as they will get to experience new cultures, traditions, cuisines, and languages firsthand. It doesn’t matter whether this is family holidays or study trips with their school – all travel is valuable.
Books
Books have the power to transport readers into new and exciting worlds, and there are many great works of fiction and non-fiction that can teach children about their planet. Not only are there atlases and reference books about specific countries, but there are also novels for children and adults that are set in other parts of the world. Try to encourage diversity in your children’s reading, promoting multicultural authors from a variety of backgrounds.
Languages
Many children learn languages in school, but you can help them boost their lingual skills at home too. Use songs in other languages such as French and sing them together, as well as practising reading and writing simple words too. Working on these skills from a young age will help them develop their communication skills, as well as serving them well when they grow up and start travelling to other countries.
Visual aids
It can be hard for a young child to really grasp the enormity of the world. They have only seen a miniscule part of it, so references to other countries and cultures might seem confusing and unreal. But by using visual aids you can help them to understand where they live in relation to the rest of the planet. A globe is the best way to help them visualise planet Earth, and you can also show them smaller-scale maps of their local area for context.
Celebrations
Learning about the world can be fun, and taking note of the celebrations and festivals recognised by other cultures is a great way to get your child interested. Find out about Chinese New Year, Diwali, and Día de los Muertos, to name a few examples, and plan a miniature celebration at home.