We are so lucky to be living in Malaysia, as we get to celebrate and know so much about so many different cultures and traditions!
Traditions can take many forms from one culture to another, from one country to another, from one religion to another and from one family to another. They are events that people observe and repeat in the same way at the same time of the year / month / week / day – and generally with the same people too. It is something learnt from our ancestors: parents, grand-parents, aunts and uncles, passed down from one generation to the next.
But what do traditions mean to our kids and why is it so important pass them on through generations?
Studies show that cultural awareness contributes to building a positive self-image towards the students. Developing a strong foundation of belonging and acceptance through cultural education helps children to create a well matured socially network while transitioning into adulthood.
There are several ways you can teach your young ones about their very own cultures:
1 Begin with the Earlier Generations
Grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, and uncles who are originally from other parts of the nativity can offer a wealth of information about their country. Get your children to interact with their relatives, asking questions about their growing up, the types of foods they eat, traditions they practice, games they play, and the holidays they celebrate in their ages.
2 Explore Your Family Tree
Learning about their family’s heritage can provide kids with an important connection to their own previous generations and open a new world into their native culture and traditions. Do not let your family’s heritage slip away without teaching it to your children. Moreover exploring your family tree gives you the greatest possibility of finding your longest relations.
3 Teach them with Food
Specifically, in Malaysia, there are different types of food for every region and sometimes different food for the different community. An enjoyable way to learn about another country is to indulge in its most popular dishes. Teach your younger ones a favorite family recipe and you’ll make memories that could last a lifetime. Plus, cooking with your kids can be an unexpected learning opportunity.
4 Celebrate holidays and traditions
Participating in the celebration of holidays creates a special experience that can help your young children to bond with their family’s cultural traditions. Parents can teach children about traditions to help them build an analysis that their personal traditions and cultures may be different than their friends at school. Talk with your child to explain that not all children celebrate the same holidays or have the same beliefs.
Traditions represent a critical piece of our culture or place and sometimes both. They help form the structure and base of our families and our society. They remind us that we are part of a history that defines our past defines who we are today and establishes who we are likely to become.
Regardless of your religion or culture, you get to define for yourself and your family what your values and routines are. For some, that means a holiday spent travelling and visiting relatives. For others, it can be as simple as a Chinese New Year’s Day dinner at your favorite restaurant.
Whatever your traditions are for your family, know that they fill your children with excitement and stability. This helps to preserve these great memories and helps create a future- and past-oriented mindset, instead of one that focuses only on the very present moment.
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