Three little girls sat at my table for lunch: my daughter, the daughter of our Chinese American friends, and a neighbor girl. They were discussing favorite foods.

“You eat duck feet?” The neighbor girl gaped at our Chinese American friend. “That is sooo gross!”

Our Chinese friend pointed at the neighbor girl’s plate. “Well, you eat cheese! That’s even grosser!”

I smothered a laugh, feeling thankful our little friend could hold her own against such disparagement. Then I reminded the girls that different tastes make the world a more interesting place.

Maybe your class is getting ready to receive a new student from another culture, or your family has invited a guest who isn’t familiar with your ways over for a meal. Here are 12 ideas to show kindness.

In the classroom:

1.      Learn their name and how to correctly pronounce it.

2.      Pair them with a buddy who is kind and patient.

3.      Use gestures and visuals. (My next blog post will discuss 15 universally understood gestures.)

4.      Include them in group activities such as reading circles, art projects, games.

5.      Celebrate their culture. Ask if they’d like to share a song, food, or story.

6.      Make a welcome sign with their culture in mind; just saying “hello” in their language can go a long way!

At home:

1.      Offer a warm greeting. If you can, find out ahead of time what is appropriate: a hand shake, a small bow, or

maybe even a double kiss!

2.      Prepare familiar or neutral foods. Find out dietary preferences beforehand.

3.      Use simple words and gestures. Avoid idioms or slang.

4.      Use translation apps or picture books. Decide on some good conversation starters before your guest arrives.

5.      Invite them to participate, but don’t pressure. Offer a seat at the table, a role in a game, or a way to help

prepare a meal.

6.      Create quiet spaces. Cultural transitions are tiring, and your guest may appreciate a rest.

🍚Tip: Ask your child to reverse roles: pretend he or she is a guest where everyone else speaks the same language and has the same culture as each other. What helps to make him or her feel welcome?