Culture is hardly one of those topics you have to teach a child or else they’ll miss it. We’re all immersed in culture, from the moment we’re born to the closing of our golden years. It affects the accent we speak with (even “no accent” is still an accent), the values we’re taught or see reflected, and how our time is structured. Some of this you don’t have to make an effort to teach, you’re going to celebrate a holiday such as Christmas anyway, and your little one will learn how that goes over the years.
But it’s also true that elements of culture can be much more than this. School goes some way in teaching this, such as exposing children to Shakespeare or other writers worth knowing as part of a book study. The utility of various topic choices can depend, and everyone has an opinion on them.
Yet there’s a great amount you can do at home, as well. In this post, we’ll discuss how to help your child gain a greater and healthier understanding of culture as they grow, with small efforts that make all the difference:
Take Them To The Theatre!
It’s extremely healthy to take children to the theatre at age-appropriate shows, as it puts them right in front of live performers who are singing, dancing, and acting out stories. They’ll watch people transform into different characters and see how costumes, lighting, and music can make wildly different scenes in one space. It’s very visceral and gives stories, especially long-appreciated plays, a real sense of presence.
Your local venue might have musicals, fairy tale adaptations, or comedy performances, and if you support them, you’re supporting the local arts. Moreover, you can use broadway.com ticket service finders to ensure you get a good deal.
See A Live Concert
A stadium isn’t always the best place for a young child, but you might look for a smaller show at a local club to support up-and-coming talent. Either way, seeing a band or a musician create sounds right in front of you can be a powerful experience for a child to witness.
They can see how the audience reacts, feeling a shared connection with a crowd of people who love the same kind of music. It’s a wonderful way to get them invested in the arts and to really become a fan of a genre, and see it music as more than something played on the car radio during a school run.
Head On A Historical Tour Of Your Town & Eat Local Food
This is probably one of the most underrated activities, because just seeing your town in a new light really does show the best of culture. Moreover, every town has a story, and a lot of it is hidden in plain sight. So, you could take your kids on a walk or a drive to see some of the oldest buildings. If you look up the history of a local landmark and share the story behind it, it’s like a scavenger hunt.
You can also make it a tradition to try a new local restaurant after your tour, one that serves something relevant to your area. This teaches kids about where they come from and how the past shapes the present. It also helps them appreciate the unique culture of your location, and you get to support a small business. That’s a decent win-win!
