Diversity

Children in the United States are living in a growing cultural melting pot.

“The differences that come from people from all over the world enrich our culture, bringing new ideas and energy,” according to parenting Web site KidsHealth.org (www.kidshealth.org). “Many children are way ahead of their parents in terms of exposure to cultural differences. Their circle of friends, their schoolmates and their athletic teams are much more varied than those of even a generation ago.”

KidsHealth.org and other sources say the best way to teach diversity is by exploring favorite foods, specials holidays and other parts of cultures, expelling myths about people such as Native Americans.

“Throughout our lives, we have been bombarded by stereotypical portrayals of American Indians. Books, television programs, movies and toys tend to depict Native Americans as oversimplified feather-wearing characters,” according to Native Child
(www.nativechild.com). “Inaccurate and often offensive representations of American Indians are deeply rooted in the American consciousness.”

The second language your child learns will make them part of more than 18 percent of United States residents who are bilingual.