| Sara poked her head into the playroom to check in | | | | country of your child. Find ways to celebrate these |
| on Lilly. She saw her daughter happily playing with her | | | | holidays or take part in these traditions. This will |
| Asian dolls. Like so many days, Lilly was having a tea | | | | mean a lot to your child, particularly as he or she |
| party with her imaginary friends, complete with Asian | | | | grows. |
| dinnerware, cookies, and homemade place mats. She | | | | 3. Keep an open dialogue and welcome questions |
| was lost in her play time and it brought a smile to the | | | | regarding cultural practices or differences. The mind |
| face of her mother. | | | | of a child is often filled with questions. Children are |
| Several years ago when Sara adopted Lily from | | | | inquisitive by nature and need to feel free to ask |
| China it was the happiest day of her life. As they | | | | questions when they do not understand what they |
| boarded the plane for the flight back to America, she | | | | are taking in with their senses. |
| thought of all the wonderful opportunities Lilly would | | | | 4. Celebrate the differences that exist between |
| have in the States. Yet Sara was very mindful of | | | | various cultures. Sometimes the misconception exists |
| how important it would be for Lilly to love and | | | | that different equals bad. This can be particularly true |
| respect her birth culture. Many adoptive parents | | | | for children as they often do not understand what |
| share this very important perspective. Creating a | | | | they do not experience. By celebrating cultural |
| multi-cultural awareness in the home is not only | | | | differences a child can learn that different is not |
| important for adoptive families but for all families. | | | | wrong or scary. |
| There are a few simple practices that families can | | | | 5. Remember that you are the primary influence for |
| incorporate into their lives to increase multi-cultural | | | | your young child. As a parent, you have an amazing |
| appreciation and awareness. | | | | opportunity and responsibility to teach your child and |
| 1. Begin teaching your children about other cultures at | | | | to shape his or her view of the world. |
| the earliest possible age. Young minds soak up | | | | Sara knew that as the parent in a multi-cultural family |
| information like none other. Use some of the plentiful | | | | she had the responsibility to educate her small |
| resources that are at hand. For example, there are | | | | daughter. Teaching her daughter to love and respect |
| many great books for children that introduce | | | | the culture in which she was born was so very |
| multi-cultural material. Visit your local library or head to | | | | important. Whether or not you are a multi-cultural |
| your favorite bookstore to check them out. There | | | | family or whether you simply feel a responsibility to |
| are also an abundance of internet sites available for | | | | teach your children the wonderful rich heritage of the |
| children that provide a multi-cultural experience. | | | | many cultures of the world, there is much you can |
| 2. Make sure you as a parent are aware of any | | | | do to celebrate the diversity of the world. |
| cultural holidays or significant traditions from the birth | | | | |