KINGS’ SCHOOL AL BARSHA
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How to raise a global child

As we celebrate International Day at Kings’, we shine a light on finding strength in diversity and how growing up ‘global’ can help make the world a better place.

Family life in Dubai has numerous plus points, from the safe and friendly environment to the endless sunny days and growing roster of attractions to enjoy. One of the biggest benefits of raising children in this cosmopolitan city, however, is the rich mixture of cultures we experience on an everyday basis.

Kings’ students represent 69 different nationalities and we encourage curiosity about different cultures to help pupils grow as individuals and become more globally aware. Below are just a few ways in which teachers and parents can work together to raise global citizens who will go on to change the world.

Embrace your identity.

Providing children with positive messages about their background, culture and beliefs along with feelings of respect, love, approval and encouragement will help them to develop a positive sense of self and to feel confident that they have an important contribution to make.

“We welcome students from around the globe to operate as one family across our three schools in Dubai,” says Alan Williamson, Director of Education & Principal of Kings’ School Al Barsha. “It's our vision to ensure that every child enjoys success while feeling happy, included, secure and valued. Our culture of emotional intelligence promotes kindness and respect for others and their learning. As a result, our children develop an understanding of and respect for their local context and the wider world.”

Celebrate the common ground.

As well as highlighting and embracing the differences between cultures, it is important to celebrate the common ground.

“Being exposed to such a multicultural learning environment fosters so much more tolerance and open mindedness. It aids the ability to approach a situation from a position of understanding and to appreciate diversity while looking at how we are similar,” says Zoya Zuberi, from Pakistan, who has two children at Kings’ School Al Barsha. “I love the way Kings’ incorporates learning about different cultures in a first-hand, experiential way by inviting parents share their traditions. I believe this not only creates a greater sense of community within the school but helps the children build a sense of pride in where they are from.”

Cultivate empathy.

Research by Harvard University* has outlined how a healthy community depends on adults who are committed to putting the common good before their own. As such, the researchers outlined a number of strategies for helping children to become caring, respectful and responsible at every stage of their childhood, including standing up for those who are vulnerable and ‘zooming out’ on situations to consider new perspectives. At the core of all of this is empathy – a quality that children learn by example. It’s easy to be a good role model by treating others with respect, welcoming a new family to the school and volunteering in the community, for instance, or simply by expressing an interest in learning about those from different backgrounds.

Foster friendships.

Kindness, helpfulness, sympathy and loyalty are qualities that are valued the world over. Mastering these qualities to connect with a diverse mixture of people will ensure your child is never lonely in the world.

“The major benefit of my children attending a school where the mix of students is so international is that they are exposed to many different cultures and so have become genuinely interested in the countries, cultures and languages of their friends,” says Caroline Flinn, from the UK, whose three children attend King’s School Al Barsha.

Broaden the mind.

From reading multicultural books to trying ethnic food, attending cultural festivals, travelling far and wide and learning a second language (the main curriculum at Kings’ is enriched by specialist teaching of French, Arabic and Spanish as well as German and Russian later in Secondary) – engaging with other cultures helps expand the mind.

‘Being at Kings’ makes my children aware of the bigger world out there,” says Christel Du Toit, from South Africa, who has a child at Kings’ School Al Barsha. “When you grow up in such a diverse environment it makes you so much more tolerant of others, including various beliefs, religions, customs and so on. My children are being raised with a huge respect for all cultures and that will help them in adulthood. We are all migrating and you never know where you will end up.”

Sources: *Making Caring Common Project by Harvard University: http://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/files/gse-mcc/files/empathy.pdf?m=1448054555http://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/files/gse-mcc/files/empathy.pdf?m=1448054555

 

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