News & events

Why Is It Good for Children to Learn About Other Cultures?

Learning about other cultures can help children better understand and appreciate the differences among individuals in terms of their beliefs and practices. This early exposure about cultural diversity can help them better get along with other children because of that better understanding and appreciation. 

Learning about other cultures and conventions 

Aside from better understanding and appreciation, children can also learn early about respecting other people’s beliefs and practices. This also helps children better get along with others despite several differences (as long as there is a common goal and communication is still clear). As a result, they can better cooperate and play with other children whether at the classroom or playground. 

Learning more about other cultures can also help children become more aware of social cues and unwritten rules. They become more sensitive to conventions that are silently at play in social settings. With this greater sensitivity and awareness, they become better equipped in navigating social encounters including unfamiliar and challenging ones. 

Maintaining and appreciating one’s own culture 

Aside from better understanding and awareness of other people’s beliefs and practices, learning about different cultures can also help us better understand and appreciate our own. After all, our culture is an essential piece of our identity and can actually help shape our thoughts and worldview. 

It’s natural for us to maintain and protect our own culture because we’re also trying to protect and preserve our identity. Despite the differences compared to other cultures, our own culture doesn’t have to stop us from assimilating into the society and contributing to our communities. This is also the case with children where they can still play with others despite the differences in upbringing. 

Here at Dorset Childcare, we consider the cultural values of each child in designing a balanced and age-appropriate program. This is to protect and respect the children’s cultural values while still helping them achieve developmental outcomes. We also conduct multicultural experiences to help children further develop their understanding and appreciation of various beliefs and practices.