5 Reasons NJ Kids Should Understand Culture

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Giving kids an understanding of their culture and heritage offers numerous benefits on both a personal and community level. This type of education easily available through cultural diversity school assembly programs that can reach a significant number of children in a short period of time. 

Here are five great reasons for New Jersey's children to become educated on the cultures that make up this great state

Develop Community Pride

In order to inspire kids to take pride in their communities, they first need a basic understanding of how that community was formed and which cultures and traditions are important to that community. 

When kids are taught about heritage and culture, they begin to see those things in their everyday lives. They notice the way their community responds to certain needs and promotes a love of cultural activities and ideas. 

This leads to a sense of belonging and understanding that can inspire them to make their own neighborhoods and towns better places to live. Your child may be the one who finds a way to solve a community problem or provide a needed service to friends, family and neighbors. 

Develop Identity and Self-Confidence

When children understand the basics of their own culture and heritage, they are able to identify with a particular group. This sense of belonging is important for kids to develop healthy feelings about their own culture. 

Children who are educated about their heritage can be proud of where they come from and are less likely to experience self-esteem issues related to skin color, background and culture. 

Respect Other Cultures

Just as kids can discover an appreciation for their own culture, education also helps them to respect people from other cultures. 

Knowledge is what makes fear of the unknown dissolve. When kids grow up understanding why other people have certain beliefs, behaviors and traditions they are able to navigate differences without fear. 

Once a child has learned to respect one other culture, it's easier to have respect for all cultures. 

An Understanding of Origin

It can be hard for children to grasp the concept that every person came from somewhere. Kids know they are the product of their parents, but they don't always understand how culture and heritage formed who their parents are as people, and in turn who they are. 

When children are taught to look for the meaning behind cultural practices, they can begin to see how those attitudes toward life have been combined to form the person that they are. They can then transfer that knowledge to an understanding that every other person is also a product of heritage and culture. 

Spark an Interest

Childhood is a time of gathering information. It also a time when sparks of passion are ignited that can follow kids for the rest of their lives. 

When kids become educated about cultural practices and what it means to be the product of a particular heritage, they also discover new and exciting subjects, areas of study and activities. 

You never know where your child is going to find inspiration that will lead to a career choice or even a lifestyle. The more your child knows about what different people do and they way they approach life, the more possibility is introduced into that child's world. 

Culture and heritage are important parts of who we are as individuals and as part of a community. It's vital that children learn these things about themselves and each other so that they can feel good about who they are and participate in the world in a way that promotes positive change and peaceful interaction among people.

For more information on school assemblies featuring community diversity in New Jersey, contact Mind Your Planet

Written by : Bruce Segal