Introducing cultural diversity in a Montessori infant care program makes a lot of sense because small children have not learned to be biased toward cultures or races. Preserving that natural belief that “people are people” makes it easier for children to embrace and learn from cultural diversity throughout their lives.
Where We Come From
Montessori infants can begin to learn about cultures and races as soon as they are born. We all have cultural customs, and starting with those closest to home will open the door for your child to understand the role of culture in other people’s homes as she gets older. Teach your child about traditional clothing, the origins of foods, and the languages we speak as a matter of daily activity.
International Foods
Even small children have preferences, and you can teach your son about the foods she likes the best during mealtime, during snacks, or just some interesting information in response to something observed or experienced. In America, we eat foods from all over the world and her favorite foods are a big part of the cultures they came from.
Words From Other Cultures
Like the foods we eat, our language is derived from cultures around the world. Building a stronger vocabulary is always a great idea, and doing so by discovering how our language has benefited from other cultures only makes learning more exciting. Keep in mind that your son is learning your household language concurrently, so infusing her language skills with the words of other cultures will be easier for her than for an older child.
A World of Possibilities
An atlas of the world is an excellent introduction to the cultures that inhabit it. Even in infancy, your son can select a page in a book and you can read about new places with her. This is a great idea because it also encourages her to learn to read as a way to discover more. And while any books about cultural diversity would be great, the world is full of possibilities that can spark the imagination of children.
The United States of America is a very diverse nation that is represented by every culture on earth. Embracing that diversity will help your infant care children learn to be more accepting of the differences of others, and less self-conscious about their own. You can begin helping her learn about cultural diversity as soon as she is born, and continue exploring the nation’s diversity thereafter.