(BPT) - In today's interconnected world, the importance of fostering global awareness in young minds cannot be overstated. Experts, like Donna Whittaker, Vice President of Curriculum and Education at Big Blue Marble Academy, shed light on the transformative power of a global curriculum in shaping compassionate, open-minded, and inclusive future leaders.
"The goal behind global awareness is to create caring citizens of the world who are sensitive to and accepting of those from different countries and cultures," emphasizes Whittaker. As the educator charged with curriculum development for 69 Big Blue Marble Academy locations serving over 10,000 children, Whittaker points out that early childhood education is an opportunity to open students' eyes to how their simple everyday actions, interactions, and intentions can have a profound effect on people from all walks of life.
Helping children develop a sense of global awareness goes beyond cultural exposure - it enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills. When children are introduced to different cultures, they learn to be more accepting, thoughtful, and creative in their problem-solving approaches. This early exposure to diversity lays the foundation for a mindset that extends far beyond the confines of their local communities.
The character traits associated with global awareness, such as open-mindedness, inclusivity, acceptance, and respect for differences, are not just buzzwords in educational jargon. They are actively witnessed in classrooms, playgrounds, and various extracurricular activities.
Children who demonstrate these character traits in their formative years tend to grow into leaders in classrooms and boardrooms. Whittaker emphasizes that these qualities are not just academic achievements; they are life skills that shape individuals into compassionate and empathetic leaders who can navigate an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.
To reinforce the global learning approach at home, Whittaker suggests a variety of engaging activities:
- Field Trip to a World Market or Ethnic Grocery Store: Explore diverse cultures by visiting a world market or ethnic grocery store. Discuss items and compare them to those in local stores. Encourage your child to find a food item from the store that they would like to try. If they are reluctant, grab something sweet and position it as a special treat.
- Language Exploration: Listen for people speaking other languages and discuss how people worldwide express similar sentiments differently. Explore common phrases such as hello, goodbye, and I love you in various languages.
- Family Traditions and Celebrations: Talk with your children about your family's traditions and celebrations while emphasizing that families worldwide have diverse customs. Teach your child that these differences are not only acceptable but enriching.
- Music Appreciation: Listen to music from other countries and ask your child questions such as: Do they think they would like to listen to that type of music on a regular basis? Are any of the instruments used in the new music also used in the music your family typically listens to? Invite your child to clap or dance to the rhythm in the music and remind them that music is listened to by people all over the world.
To stimulate creativity, Whittaker suggests activities like drawing homes from other countries and building replicas using household items or blocks. Alternatively, make green and blue homemade playdough and invite your child to roll the two colors of playdough together to form a sphere shape to represent the earth and foster a tangible connection to global unity.
In conclusion, by incorporating these activities and fostering a global curriculum, parents and educators can play a pivotal role in shaping future leaders who embody the qualities of global citizenship. As Whittaker passionately asserts, "The effects of a global perspective are not just seen in the classroom but resonate in the way our children lead and contribute to the world."
