Raising Culturally Competent Children

Note: originally published in January 2020. Edited to include books shared by one of our readers (thank you Lianna Marne).

 
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The World Population Review finds Montana’s racial composition 89 percent White, 6.5 percent Native American, 4.5 percent Asian/Black/Pacific Islander/Other. 

I emphasize, 89 percent White. 

As Montana parents raising children in fairly monochromatic communities, we must intentionally value diversity. How can White parents equip children to interact in a culturally competent manner?

  • Regularly talk about differences.  Acknowledge, appreciate and admire differences that exist. Openly discuss race and racism.

  • Expose children to museums and cultural offerings. Peruse books, art, films, inventions and scientific breakthroughs created by people from diverse cultural backgrounds. View public and school libraries, classrooms and learning institutions through a multicultural lens, advocating for diverse literary characters and authors. 

  • Teach children to spot bias within themselves and others, and know what to do about it. We all have biases. Understanding particular biases we hold provides potential for growth. Exploring our feelings and experiences around bias, educating ourselves about it and challenging ourselves to think differently is difficult and important work. Modeling that process for our children helps them confront their own biases. Further, recognizing and labeling biased sayings, jokes and sentiments as uncomfortable, inappropriate and unkind provides teachable moments for children.

We envision success for our children. Building cultural competencies encourages positive outcomes for them, and all whom they encounter.

Books and resources

One of our readers recently shared these books as resources to cultivate empathy, courage and an understanding of cultural diversity with children. There are additional books listed below for adults.

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Featured
Crystal Thompson-Tower
406 Families: Guest Contributor
Crystal Thompson-Tower
406 Families: Guest Contributor

Crystal Thompson-Tower and her husband, Clark, are the parents of seven children. She is an Elementary School Counselor and enjoys advocating for kids and parents, and continues  developing her cultural mindset. Crystal was born and raised in Missoula.

406 Families: Guest Contributor
Lifestyle, Parents, Teens, Tots & Tykes, Tweens, Grade Schooler406 Families: Guest Contributorracial bias, culturally competent kids, cultural diversity, competent kids, maturity, maturing, MLK, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Martin Luther King Day, Missoula family, Missoula Families, Missoula, Missoula kids, PerspectiveComment