27How Schools and Teachers Can Help Children Be Culturally Aware
Other than parents, the greatest influences in a child's life during their formative years are their teachers. Teachers play a critical role in developing youth in many other ways. Sometimes teachers end up spending more time with children than the parents, so here are some ways teachers can teach children cultural awareness.
Appreciate and Celebrate the Cultural Backgrounds of Your Students
Always promote an inclusive environment that appreciates the full identity of your students. You can start with their names and their pronunciations and meaning. While each student shares facts about their cultures and customs, provide opportunities for them to educate the rest of the class on “why they do things the way they do.”
After your students speak, take some time to analyze and celebrate the diversities in social behaviors, beliefs, norms, rites, music, and so on. Everyone has a culture, regardless of where they come from, so showcase the range. You must also be careful not to lean in the direction of a particular student or ethnicity.
Be Your Students' Leader and Not Their Dictator
There's a difference between these two. As someone who has lived in a dictatorship, I can tell you that there is barely any freedom of expression there. In your classroom, be clear about who the leader is but encourage open dialogue. Open up the floor for more interaction and engagement and avoid making it transactional.