As a parent, you no doubt want to teach your child important life lessons on a daily basis, in order to help them grow up to be responsible, happy, well-educated adults. However, this difficult (yet rewarding) job can be a particularly tricky one.
Today’s children are really living in quite a different world to those who were born decades ago, especially when it comes to the impact that technology has had on the globe and the way in which people can now communicate instantly. As such, today’s youth face different challenges and lifestyles than those before them.
Indeed, according to many organizations, including DiamondRanchAcademy.com, young people are actually growing up today in a society of entitlement, and many teens end up unhappy, bored, wasteful, ungrateful, and disrespectful as a result. As well, many parents struggle to find ways to have the positive impact on their kids that they wish for.
No matter the age of your child and their current outlook on life, it pays to teach them to see the world on a global basis, rather than limiting their view to their immediate surrounds and problems (which can often be put into perspective by examining the different lives led by children and adolescents worldwide). Kids who learn about other cultures and global issues are more likely to learn traits such as empathy, compassion, and tolerance, all of which will put them in good stead for later life.
If you struggle to know where to start on this though, don’t worry. There are plenty of different techniques you can use that cater to the different interests and ways of learning that children have. If you’re keen to introduce your youngsters to the bigger issues and various cultures found around the world, read on for some handy tips to add to your parenting toolbox.
Utilize Educational Shows
A simple way to introduce your children to new concepts and lessons about the world at large is through educational content such as documentaries, TV shows, and even some movies. While you don’t want your kids spending too many hours staring at a screen each day, educational shows in the right dose can be very informative and help to expand their minds.
Whether you like to borrow DVDs from your local rental service, buy them, check them out from the library, stream content online, or utilize cable, you’ll find plenty of content available for all ages. In particular, check out the variety of shows found on channels like the BBC, Netflix, Disney, National Geographic, and The History Channel. Available content can teach young ones about subjects such as different cultures and languages, the environment, history, nature, geography, and much more.
Download Helpful Apps
These days, downloading a few of the thousands of apps on the market can also be a really great way to teach children about the world. You’ll find both introductory programs for young children, plus more advanced and interactive designs for older children and teens, available. Whether you want your kids to learn specifically about food production around the world, how energy works, the solar system, sustainability and the environment, other cultures and languages, the weather, plants and animals, global nations, or another topic, you won’t have to look far to find an app that’s suitable.
The gamification style of most apps generally ensures that children are quickly interested in such programs, but if you struggle to get them engaged, look for creative ways and times to introduce learning. For example, when you’re traveling to a holiday destination in the car or on a plane, bus, or train, take advantage of the down time to introduce your family to apps that teach them about other countries or cultures. As well, other good times to use an app are while waiting in line at an event or attraction, when stuck indoors on a wet or cold day, or when waiting for a meal to arrive at a cafe.
Cook and Eat International Meals
Children are invariably interested in food, which means that a great way to teach them about the world is through the meals that they eat. Expand your child’s palate and their horizons by setting a weekly or nightly meal that is dedicated to learning about, cooking, and then eating the food from another nation.
Make this meal an event by getting your kids involved too. You can get them cooking in the kitchen with you, as well as have them research common dishes eaten in the chosen country, design placemats that reference cultural etiquette from the destination, and investigate some words or phrases from the country’s language that have to do with food, eating, cooking, dining out, shopping, and the like.