Cultural Competence A-Z: G is for Generate

How many of you like to create things with you kids? Art projects? Lego masterpieces? Gifts for grandparents? This week's post is all about generating something unique and fun with your kids. It's all about creativity. Together you will generate a project centered around your own culture. Here at CCK, we believe that you need to understand yourself and your own culture in order to truly get others' cultures. This is a concrete and fun way to start to do this with your child. 

In this case, culture is defined very broadly. You - or better yet your child - can decide how culture should be defined. Stumped? Here are a few ideas for how to get started:

• Ethnicity: Of your family unit; of each individual in the family; of your child
• Family Culture: What is important to us as a family? What traditions do we have that are unique to us? You can include holiday celebrations, traditions, recipes, etc.
• Religious/Spiritual Culture: How do we practice spirituality? Where and how do we worship (if at all)? What celebrations are around religion & spirituality?

There are a few different ways to complete this project. Below are a few suggestions, but don't let those limit you! Flex those creativity muscles and if you think of a cool and different way to engage in this topic, please leave a comment so we can all learn from each other. I'm sure many of you have some very cool ideas...

• Trace your child on a large sheet of paper and cut it out. Using markers, paint, stickers, etc to decorate, fill in the outline with your child and family's culture.
• Have your child draw a picture of him or herself. Write words or draw pictures around the person representing who your child is. What makes him or her unique and similar to others.
• Collect things from in and around the house that your child feels represents him/her. Glue them on a piece of paper or put in a shoebox with the child's name on it.

---

When you are done, display it somewhere in your home - the living room, your child's room, your room. This will help remind your child (and you!) of who they are and all of the things that make them and their family unique. It can also reinforce to your child that everyone is unique and while people share traits that bring them together (race, language, ethnicity, geographic location) you have to be careful to make assumptions based on one or two traits.

Bonus: Encourage your child to ask their friends to generate their thoughts about their own personal culture. Learn more about each other!

Don't forget to check back next week for letter H! You can also sign up for the newsletter and get it delivered right to you! Enjoy posts like these as well as Just For Fun Fridays and tips and strategies. Enjoy!

Sign up here today!