How to Learn About Different Cultures like a Homeschooler

A part of social studies for the typical child in traditional school is to learn about different cultures. The same goes for homeschoolers, but the approach is quite different. If you would like to teach your child more about different cultures, try these approaches often implemented by homeschoolers.

Read books written by authors from that culture. Teachers often read or assign students books about a particular culture. It is far more effective however if children are exposed to books written BY people of that culture instead of books written ABOUT them. They will learn more about their point of view and can ponder and discuss what motivates them and how they see the world.

Eat the food of people from the culture you are learning about. It is not uncommon for students to have a single meal from a culture that they are learning about. A homeschooler, however would probably have much more than one meal and also learn the reasons for that culture following a particular diet. It is important to not only try to cook the foods at home, but to also visit several restaurants and ask questions of the staff.

When a homeschooler is learning about a culture, they will also engage in learning the language. Even if they are not learning the language formally, they will learn basic greetings and formalities so they could survive in the native country of the people they are studying.

Finally, the best way to learn about a culture, which any homeschooler knows, is to visit the country, city, or community. Go on vacation, but don't stay in the tourists areas. Meet and greet people, with proper precautions taken based on where you are visiting. When travel is not possible, you can sign up for a pen pal so you can have a one on one relationship with someone from the culture you are studying.