What are some activities that one could use with a 2 1/2 year old to enhance Cultural Competence?

Question

Cultural competence is basically the ability to recognize or respect people from cultures other than one's own.

This is not my child I should add. This is for a class and I am in a child laboratory. The child I am working with is 2 1/2 and we are supposed to think of activities that might "enhance cultural competence" or at least begin it.

Answer 1

I raised my daughter around a variety of cultures and I don't think she knew the difference until she was five. She did learn some Spanish words, but preferred English because the words are shorter. If spoken to in Spanish she answered in English. For instance, a Latino man asked her "?como te llamas?" (what's your name) and she answered "two and a half," so you see where she was verbally. She didn't know the difference between her name and her age (she did the same in English). She called cut-up fruit "luna" (moon) because it was crescent shaped; her same-age friend picked up this word, "I want luna."
So maybe you could introduce the child to somebody who speaks Spanish, and let her learn to understand a little or get used to the sound. At least she can learn that there is another way of talking, which she may not know.
I'm not sure that recognizing (i.e. naming) other cultures is a good idea at 21/2 years, she'd probably go around announcing it whenever she saw somebody of that culture, and somebody might take it amiss.

Answer 2

A child is never too young to experience things. At 2 1/2 years old, their brains absorb images and sounds like sponges. However, at a later age their unconscious mind will synergize everything together.

I love your enthusiasm. A good way is to take your child to cultural festivals. Japanese, Chinese, Hispanic, and India always have some kind of festival. At the festivals, there will be music, shows, and food. Look in those free magazines at the supermarket; especially the City Life or Family ones for events.

Research the festival ahead of time and you can point at the examples and mention what they are or what they are doing. At some Japanese festivals you can participate in the dance. That will be definitely fun for a 2 year old.

Then after the festival, summarize what you saw with your child to reinforce the days activity. Remember, even if your child doesn't respond at a level we understand, his mind is listening and remembering and will synergize everything together.

This is the same concept as a child learning a language. Hearing, visual, memory, and synergy. It doesn't matter how young. Don't perceive it as a waste of time.

I hope that helps!

Answer 3

Look at the things you provide for the child to play with. Do they reflect a single culture? Provide the child with play figures of a variety of skin tones and hair styles and play food and utensils of different cultures. Read books that have culturally diverse characters. The Around the World Series of books (Scholastic) have beautiful pictures and few words per page. Houses and Homes by Anabel Kindersley, Bread, Bread, Bread by Ann Morris, Hats, Hats, Hats by Ann Morris
Use Rhythm instruments from around the world, music of a variety of cultures, visuals that include people of different cultures. Decorate with art from different parts of the world...

Answer 4

Just let your kid be a kid and don't try and fill their heads with too much. At 2 1/2, the different colored blocks or plastic rings are all the cultural competance he/she needs.

Answer 5

Why are you worried about that in a two & a half year old ? Do you have a guilty conscience about your own cultural competance?

Answer 6

at 2 years old? no way
if u want to influence a child's perspective for the rest of his/her life it's between the ages 8-14