Blog Series: The 5 Essential Elements of Cultural Competence: Knowledge

This is the fourth installment in this blog series. I hope you're loving it! Check out the previous posts on interaction, self-assessment, and valuing diversity. We will have one more to go after this one. The series is based on an article by Terry Cross and colleagues written in 1989 about cultural competence. In the article, the authors talk about cultural competence in relation to organizations and systems. In this blog series, we're attempting to pare it down to the individual and include tips on how to develop these skills in your home with your kids.

The latest essential element of cultural competence is about having institutionalized cultural knowledge. In my opinion, this is a fun essential element because it's all about learning! And there are so many ways to teach your kids that are fun and engaging for the whole family. I like the idea of paring this one down to "having cultural knowledge". I believe that should be of individuals and institutions. So how can you go about doing that with your kids and keeping it fun so they'll actually learn something? Well, I'm glad you asked...

• Go to a museum! This one is first on my mind, because I actually just got back from the museum with my little ones! Even though it can be tiring ("don't touch that. No seriously, I said... no really, don't... don't touch it!"), it always pays off. Kids are total sponges and bringing them to museums is a great way to expose them to all kinds of different things. It always surprises me how much children's programming there is at museums as well, so check out the museum's website before your visit to see what they have to offer. I know not everyone lives in a big city like me, but do a little research. I'm always shocked at how many small, lesser-known museums there are around and if you dig, you can find some serious gems. If it's still a haul for you to get to one, visit one virtually (these are some of our DC favorites: here, here, and here), get some books from the library about museums, or put it on your list of things to do when you take your next family vaca. 
  
• Movies & TV Shows: This one is for the two and older crowd only (and even then make sure to limit their screen time). There is some great TV programming out there for kids of all ages to help them learn about diversity. For younger kids, I like this one, this one, and this one. For older school-aged kids, some movies with diverse characters that I think are great are Big Hero 6 and Whale Rider. As your kids become teens, letting them watch the History Channel and other documentaries is a great way to learn and spark conversation.  There are great options at every age!
• Books, Books, Books! If anyone knows me, they know that I am a book junkie. I become emotionally attached real quick. So it's only natural that I want to pass on that love affair (er - obsession...) to my kiddos. Books are always a great way to learn and there are so many amazing ones out there that can teach you about others (and yourself for that matter!). If you already signed up for my newsletter, you've gotten the list I've compiled of fantastic diverse books. If you haven't, what are you waiting for?!?! It's free and a great starting place for learning new things with your kids!

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