With the advancements in technology, and the broadened ability to travel around the world, students now more than ever, are living in an increasingly diversified world. At school, online, and in their communities, they interact with people from widely varied backgrounds. The winter holidays provide an excellent opportunity to teach children about the many different cultural holidays celebrated around the world. Here are three reasons why students should learn about other cultures this holiday season.

Learning to Celebrate Diversity

Learning about different people and their holiday celebrations in a positive environment can help students learn to celebrate diversity. This positive attitude of celebrating diversity leads to cultural sensitivity and a more global awareness of humanity.

Understanding Multiple Points of View

The ability to understand things from multiple points of view is a vital part of critical thinking. Critical thinking is a fundamental element of a student's education because critical thinking is the thought process that gives students the power to think for themselves, interpret and analyze information, and make decisions based off of evidence. Critical thinking skills help students apply what they have learned to take their education and use it to make the world a better place.

Reduces Bullying

Classrooms are made up of many different students from many diverse backgrounds. Unfortunately, some students have learned to lash out at people from lifestyles and backgrounds they do not understand either because of false preconceptions or because they are afraid of what they do not know. Learning about other cultures can dispel the fears and misunderstandings students may have about another culture and can lead to a reduction in bullying.

Students of other backgrounds can also have the excitement of their classmates learning about their worldview and may find ways to explain their worldview to their classmates. Learning about other cultural celebrations can bring an added measure of harmony and cohesiveness to the classroom.

It is important for students to be exposed to many different points of view to improve their relationships with their classmates and other members of their communities. Having a broad, global mindset will also help them make decisions and use the knowledge they gain to better the world.

Learning about how the world celebrates special occasions gives students the opportunity to reach out and understand the world they live in just a little better. Students deserve the gift of a broad, global learning environment, and learning about different ways of life can grant them that gift.

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Communities In Schools of Jacksonville provides intensive educational support to individual students in Duval County Public Schools. Learn more.