Diversity is the range of individual differences among people, encompassing factors such as national origin, immigration status, language, learning styles, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, physical or mental abilities and attributes, religious or ethical values system, and family structure.

When people are involved and empowered, their inherent worth and dignity are acknowledged, and inclusion occurs. An inclusive classroom values and practices respect for the abilities, convictions, backgrounds, and lifestyles of its students. It also fosters a feeling of community among its students.

The world is beautiful with the extensive diversity that comes with the unique characteristics of every person. Peoples backgrounds, history and age all show the unique aspects of the human race. Embracing different cultras in your household, not only encourages diversity and unity in your family but also improves education and value in morals. Every parent wants their child to flourish, no matter their location or environment. Allowing them to be a part of something bigger than the room around them, will help encourage them to reach greater heights and dreams that are not limited to the environment they are in. 

In this blog post, we will  show you how to embrace the cultural exchange of an Au Pair in South Africa!

It’s natural for us to want to conserve and safeguard our culture because we want to protect and preserve our identity. Despite cultural differences, our own culture does not have to prevent us from assimilating into society and contributing to our communities. This is also true for youngsters, who can still play with others despite disparities in upbringing. 

• Consider factors other than race and ethnicity. More than a person’s skin color or clothing style influences their culture. It is shaped by the individual’s life experiences and customs, which may or may not be visible to the naked eye.
• Learn by asking questions. Don’t be afraid to inquire. People feel respected and valued when others show real interest in who they are, so discover more about their culture by asking open-ended inquiries.
• Teach your children by example 
• Make local contacts. Stop by local organizations or places that work with a cultural group that interests you. Advocacy groups, religious institutions, colleges, and social clubs are excellent places to learn more and create relationships.
• Pay attention to nonverbal cues. The meaning of body language might vary depending on cultural conventions. Take note of how your body language is viewed by those around you.
• Share your experiences. Storytelling is an excellent technique to communicate experiences that transcend culture. Begin an open discussion by sharing a personal tale or experience.
• Employ tales with a strong cultural component, room décor, and international poetry to raise awareness of cultural variances in your surroundings.
• Dispel those myths. Don’t ignore a child who unintentionally says something racist, for instance! Bring in positive messages about diversity and inclusivity and discuss it with the kids.

Although it’s true that education starts at home, sadly, not all parents are aware of this or even know how to teach diversity. After all, you never know what you don’t know.

Parents are also restricted to the educational resources available in the home due to the lack of truly diverse preschool television programming and the scarcity of books and toys.

Did you know that South Africa has 11 official languages? English, Afrikaans, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, and sisZulu are the languages. Most of South Africans can communicate in more than one language.  South Africa is renowned as the “Rainbow Nation” due to its many different cultures and religions. Most South African au pairs are welcoming of diverse cultures and ideologies.

Most Au Pairs already understand the diversity!

Learning about diverse cultures in school helps students feel safer and more at ease with these differences in the future. As a result, they are able to engage with a greater variety of social groups and experience an increase in self-assurance and interpersonal confidence.

Raising awareness and fostering a personal relationship with different cultures can help students avoid prejudice in the future. Because they are more aware of the struggles that members of other racial or cultural groups may encounter, it enables them to empathize with people who are unlike them.