Five ways to create a multicultural home

If you are raising third culture children you might want to create a multicultural home environment for them as well. Letting them get in touch with multiple different cultures at home can boost their motivation to learn languages and interest to do so later one. This article lists five ways to create a multicultural home.

1. Make international breakfasts, lunches and dinners

This is the most delicious way of all five advised in this article. Why not start cooking more international dishes? Chances are that your children already know pasta, pizza and tacos, but why not go next level? There are lots of delicious recipes from countries on the other side of the globe.

Instead of a croissant or a pancake for breakfast, try a Russian breakfast for example! The following website has great recipes for typical Russian breakfasts. https://www.rbth.com/russian-kitchen/326396-7-russian-breakfasts-start-day-right

2. Watch international movies and shows

This has become way easier since the introduction of Netflix. It costs less effort to find a great show that is not in your native language or English. There are great international movies in all genres, and the great thing about media like Netflix is the fact that they offer subtitles. This way you and your children will still be able to understand the movie, while hearing another language. The reason for the high level of English in the Netherlands for example is due to the fact that the television there is not dubbed but subtitled.

3. Create multicultural maps

Showing maps to children is a wonderful way to inform them about the beautiful world in which we live in. However, there are more maps available than just the known world map. An example is the following one, which shows the animals of the world and the countries in which they can be found.

Another example is the following one. This map consists 100% out images like typical animals, buildings or vegetation for a region or country.  https://www.google.nl/search?biw=1517&bih=707&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=aO_mWsLpEZLewAKW077wCQ&q=world+map+for+kids+with+buildings&oq=world+map+for+kids+with+buildings&gs_l=psy-ab.3…56072.57571.0.57698.15.11.0.0.0.0.262.1622.2j7j2.11.0….0…1c.1.64.psy-ab..4.4.697…0i19k1j0i30i19k1j0i5i30i19k1j0i8i30i19k1.0.V0SiaFShZxc#imgrc=ILOCzbpsiQ2QHM:

4. Read books about travelling with your children

Reading with your children has always been an important activity. But what if you could read to them while informing them about other cultures and countries. The following website contains a list with 25 amazing books about travel for children.

https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-07-21/the-best-travel-books-for-kids

5. Listen to international music

This activity can be done everywhere. Long car ride? Why not introduce your kids to children’s music from China? Free afternoon together? Perfect opportunity to find some Turkish classics together with your kids.