If there is anything I have learned over the past 30 years it is that introducing culture to a toddler shapes and influences us from very early on and practically never stops. From the food you eat to the music you like – culture helps to create open-minded and just straight-up awesome human beings. Since toddlers are little mean learning machines, the time to know fun ways to introduce culture to your toddler is NOW. But how, you ask! Well, let me tell you 🙂
Here are some ways to introduce culture to your toddler:
Introduce Culture By Language
Learning more than one language has shown benefits to intelligence and memory, while also being the open door to new cultures. I mean really, what is better than a baby who knows more words than you do! My mom was a bit late on this choo choo train as she didn’t start introducing German to me until I was a kid. As a result, well, I can ask “Can I go to the Jager” and ” Can I get a shot of the toilet“. Not super impressive.
Fun Ways I Introduce Culture to my toddler:
We read books in both English and German.
He enjoys educational shows such as Dora the Explorer.
I accidentally cuss in German a lot? That counts, right?
Introduce Culture By Food
Speaking of food, food is by far the most delicious way to introduce culture. Presenting different types of cuisine to children at a young age helps to expand their taste buds and curiosity for taste. However, you do not just wake up one day and crave Indian food without previously being exposed. If anything, the longer it takes to get familiarized the more likely you will be closed-minded and negative towards the unknown food. I believe food is a gateway to possessing an open mind, so the younger you can get them to try new food, the easier the next 18 years will be on everyone!
Fun Ways I Introduce Culture to my toddler:
We often go out for something new and exciting like Korean BBQ or Thai.
He eats 5-star Kraft Mac and Cheese, so he fully understands American Culture.
I occasionally smear a teeny tiny amount of Vegemite on his toast because duhhh, he’s Australian!
Introduce Culture By Reading
Books have to be one of the best ways of discovering culture. Whether it is a book of history, a book of religion, or a book of that sexy Don Juan wearing nothing but a cloth wrapped around his waist.. oops, that one is for momma.
Babies are hard-wired to understand early reading, making it the perfect opportunity to squeeze in that culture. Reading books that combine both foreign language and English, like from Language Lizard, makes merging reading and language super easy and fun. Introducing culture to your toddler has never been easier!
Fun Ways I Introduce Culture:
We read together nightly as part of our bedtime routine.
He is constantly surrounded by books in his play area to read… well, and eat. Yeahhh.. he mostly eats them.
I always read restaurant menus to him as we both drool at the pictures.
Introduce Culture By Music
Music and song are something we all love and integrate into our daily lives. Babies need music more than anyone as it helps shape their brain and even helps develop emotions. Listening to music with your little one will help bring you together and get their imagination to start running wild. It doesn’t matter if you have good taste in music or bad taste in music, just play it and play it often! Well, unless that music is Nickelback, of course. Don’t play that. Or I might have to call child services…
Fun Ways I Introduce Culture to my toddler:
We listen to a new classic vinyl during each meal.
We sing Raffi together every morning to start our day.
I scream out all the wrong lyrics to Justin Bieber while driving in the car…Yeah, this one is mostly me 🙂
Introduce Culture By Dance
Whether it is the polka or swing or Riverdance, dancing with your baby not only gets them laughing but gets them understanding music and movement. Their movement will most likely be pretty rough. For example, my son’s best move is… what’s that called again? Oh yeah, FALLING! But at least he falls in new ways with each dance. So besides the normal nursery rhyme dances, introducing culture to a toddler can be as easy as moving with your baby and lead them into the exploration of her own movements.
Fun Ways I Introduce Culture to my toddler:
We have weekly walks to listen to live music and tushies off!
He tries to make up his own moves while listening to the radio.
I show him a bunch of my old dance team moves because well…he has no choice!
Getting your little one out into the world is great to introduce your toddler to culture and so much more. It fuels curiosity and awareness of new things. It gets them out of the house and into that travel stroller you have been waiting to use. New environments that will stimulate their brains in ways watching Barney never can. Introduce them to a train ride, a hike, new people, interesting food, a new language. By traveling with toddlers and getting out in the world, they get to experience the very best of all these aspects of culture.
Fun Ways I Introduce Culture to my toddler:
We adore hitting the road for weekend getaways.
He loves experiencing new gardens and hiking trails.
I am currently planning our first international trip!
Want to start reading different languages to your little one? Click here for 10% off Language Lizard Gift Certificates used for bilingual books in over 50 languages!
This post is part of a sponsored program with Language Lizard. I received a free product in exchange for my thoughts on the books. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsor and mine alone.
Hot Mess
There are so many cool and easy ways to introduce culture to little ones. I had not thought about doing it through food or music. Thank you for this post.
These are are such a great ideas!
Love these ideas for introducing culture to young children. I’m sharing your post on my homeschool page!
aww thank you! 🙂
All great ideas! Reading books with toddlers is essential and reading ones that introduce culture is double beneficial.
These are awesome ideas! My kids’ favs would be through reading and food!
What awesome ideas! I’ll have to try a few of these with my son!
Such a great (and important!) read for all parents! Teaching culture from a young age is so important for opening their minds to different perspectives and experiences. I love these suggestions!
These are excellent ideas for introducing culture, to toddlers or anyone of any age!
We love reading books too to learn about new cultures. Great ideas!
Wonderful ideas and such an important topic! Music and dance are two of my favorite ways to introduce my daughter to different cultures. We always think of books, which are wonderful, but you reminded me of many other ways…music, dance, food, dress
Young children love to play with language and when they are very young they can pick up another language easily. Why I had to wait until high school to learn German and Spanish is beyond me. I struggled with both.
These are all such great tips and so easy to do! We are all already reading, listening to music and trying new foods, why not try some of these things in a different language or style!?
-Jennifer
I have never thought of introducing culture. I really love this and would start my son on it and there are so many way to make it fun.
Great ideas. I love the idea of introducing culture through music. Most young kids I’ve been around love music so I think they’d be really receptive to that.