Cultural Competence A-Z: U is for Unplug

Ok, so I realize that this post is a bit hypocritical. I often advocate getting to know things about diversity through the internet and other electronic options. This can be really helpful. But if the only way that you ever expose yourself and your kids to diversity, there is a piece missing. All of that great information won't really translate. Why not? Get ready for a crash course in Behavioral Theory...

If you want the things you are teaching your child to manifest in their actual lives, you have to make it feel real. This means that wherever you want them to actually perform the behavior, it should be in an environment that is most similar to the place where you actually want the behavior to occur. For example, if you want a child to change their behavior in school, teaching them about it in the classroom is more likely to get results than teaching them about it at home. It helps prime a child's memory to do something when they are in the actual place.

The same is true for cultural competence. We want to try and change a child's attitudes, but also their behaviors. It's hard to change those things when the only thing you are doing is watching diversity happen on a screen. It has to happen in a child's real life in order for that child to truly understand and internalize it.

So how will you unplug and apply some of these things in the real world? How will you make it personal to your child? Below are some suggestions that you can do no matter where you are:

• Art Project: I love this project for all ages. Do this with a group of kids (and adults! The more people who participate, the more effective the activity). On a large piece of paper, trace each person. Have them fill it with words, sayings, pictures, etc of who they are. Compare and contrast everyone's person. This demonstrates that no one is completely the same; everyone is unique. And yet we all share commonalities. Some of those traits are things you can see and some are not. This helps demonstrate diversity in a very real way to your child (and you!)
• Friendship Assessment: Encourage diversity among your child's friends. If you have a young child, have a playdate with someone of a different gender, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. Have an older child? Talk to them about their friends. What makes each unique? Are they all the same? Why or why not? Teenagers can really have fascinating and illuminating conversations about this topic. And it helps you get to know your child's friends better (something you definitely want to do)!
• Potluck: Have a party and ask everyone to bring a dish that is representative of their culture. You will be shocked at the diversity of food you'll get! Food is a fun and accessible way to learn about others. It helps your child to branch out and try new things. And it demonstrates to your child that the people in their life are unique. And if you have a special dish from your culture, make it with your kids! Getting kids into the kitchen is messy, but worth it. Never cooked with your kids before? Here are some tips to get started.

These are only a few suggestions. What ideas do you have to unplug and make the idea of diversity more real for your child? Which of the above suggestions will you try first? 

Check back next week for letter V! We're getting towards the end of the alphabet. Have you checked out the previous letters? What has been your favorite so far? Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter and you won't have to remember to check. Get the blog as well as Just For Fun Fridays and other great information delivered weekly to your inbox. Enjoy & share!

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