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Beyond words: 15 nonverbal ways to communicate across cultures.
Universally understood gestures can help minimize language barriers between cultures. Is anything more awkward than attempting to communicate with someone who doesn’t speak your language? It doesn’t have to be! Here are 15 nonverbal ways to connect without words. 1.     Offer a warm, genuine smile. 2.     Use open body language : with your arms relaxed, face the person directly to show you’re approachable. 3.     Engage in gentle eye contact to communicate attentiven
5 days ago1 min read
12 gestures of welcome: hospitality across cultures
We can express kindness and hospitality even without a shared language. Three little girls sat at my table for lunch: my daughter, the...
Oct 62 min read
Writing the colors of the world p. 2: best practices to describe skin tone
No matter the shade of skin, there are plenty of respectful and creative ways to describe it. Part 1 of this blog post discussed why we...
Sep 141 min read
Writing the colors of the world p. 1: helping kids describe skin tone
Let's help kids write about people's skin color with accuracy and respect. Dark-chocolate, milk chocolate, coffee, caramel, toffee,...
Sep 132 min read
The ‘hidden immigrant’ in your classroom: 6 ways to help
A hidden immigrant might blend in with the group—but underneath, they are very different. There’s a new kid in your classroom today. She...
Sep 32 min read
Culture, Race, Ethnicity, Nationality: 4 identity terms you think you know
In our tangled, multicultural world, these identity terms deserve a closer look. Whether in a classroom, a dinner conversation, or...
Aug 142 min read
Beyond 'indigenous': 4 ways to model culturally attuned speech
Let’s explore better, more nuanced ways to describe communities that live outside what we call the 'norm.' We’re all (hopefully) aware of...
Jul 313 min read
Popsicle Boys and Gardenia Girls p. 2: Why I wrote about child labor in Asia
Raising awareness of child labor is the start of a solution. As children, we perceive our world as the norm. I wrote about being...
Jul 172 min read
Popsicle Boys and Gardenia Girls p. 1
Child labor can take many forms, especially in the Global South. When I lived in the Philippines, fifty percent of the population was 18...
Jul 103 min read
A doll called Peter: 5 ways to help a child in family crisis
When I was a child in crisis, I received a gift I've never forgotten. It was late evening on my sixth birthday when two surprise visitors...
Jun 263 min read
Thresholds: 8 ways to help a child in transition
Thresholds—the in-between spaces—can be the most difficult for a child in transition. Do you know a child standing on the threshold? (Not...
Jun 232 min read
Beyond the public library: 10 ways to feed your ravenous reader
What are you serving your voracious reader? As the child of missionary parents, I spent months at a time without public libraries,...
Jun 193 min read
Who's in the mirror?
"Books are the mirrors of the soul." ~Virginia Woolf At age thirteen, my top favorite book had a main character with bright...
Jun 32 min read
'Do have cat?' 6 ways to model appreciation for other cultures
The best way to instill an appreciation for other cultures and different perspectives is by example. When an acquaintance spearheading an...
May 233 min read
Is your bookshelf too vanilla? 10 fun ways to bring multicultural literacy home
My very vanilla bookshelf at age 11. I've expanded my horizons! Want to raise kids who are curious about the world—and navigate it with...
May 162 min read
We talk normal, right? 5 reasons to encourage multicultural literacy
It's never too early to break free of monoculturalism! I was waiting in the Atlanta International airport when an announcement was made...
May 22 min read
More than a story: 5 ways multicultural reading can reflect God's heart
Multicultural literature does far more than educate—it can echo the values we hold close. Multicultural stories are about far more than...
Apr 112 min read
Put it back, baby.
Put the world in your child's hands. An eye-catching display at a home goods store caused me to stop and take a closer look. Paper...
Apr 32 min read
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