It is clear that the social and cultural environment play an indispensable role in the development of children. Just as children are in need of responsible adults around them, to cover basic needs for growth and guide them in their behavior, the context is also determinant in parameters as important as beliefs or the transmission of values. There is no single successful formula for such transmission. The study “The culture and education of young children. Preparing staff to teach children from many cultural backgrounds”, conducted at the National Black Child Devolopment Institute in Washington, noted that the differences observed between cultures for cultural transmission to children do not mean that there is the right way versus the wrong way.

The term “art” is even more specific than that of “culture”. It refers to the expression of human activity through plastic, linguistic or sound resources, and also plays a fundamental role in the development of the child. It develops creativity in the face of problems and conflicts, helping to think. It invites children to reflect and ask themselves questions to overcome barriers such as prejudices. It helps them to use their senses, to approach different contents in an entertaining way. Improves the perception of what surrounds them. That is why it is so important that they are in contact with art and culture.

The benefits of telling them a story

Reading is a basic tool for children to gain new vocabulary and learn to express themselves, as well as to convey differences between what is right and what is wrong, in a way adapted to their level of understanding that they will be able to understand.

That from an early age they are instilled with the value of reading is essential so that, tomorrow, they will be avid readers. Children tend to imitate, they reproduce the behaviours they see in their immediate surroundings, from which the importance of being a good reference can be deduced. If a parent or guardian usually reads, it is more than likely that the child will read as well.

A good way to awaken their curiosity to learn is to read them a story, for example, before they fall asleep. Because this will also strengthen the relationship between parents and children, will strengthen a bond that, tomorrow, can contribute to closeness and trust.

The Internet has many resources, such as free children’s stories that parents should select carefully. Sleeping stories on mevoyadormir.com are accompanied by songs and lullabies for babies that can be very interesting.

From the nearest and best known

When it comes to children, any everyday situation is presented as an opportunity to learn. It is only necessary to have a little will and not to dispel all their questions with an invented explanation that, due to their capacity to reason, will seem credible.

To awaken their curiosity is to have a perception of themselves, of their ego. Invitations to reflection and learning can be constant, starting with their own name, by knowing more about the onomastics of Mary, John, Albert, Daniel, Sophie or Anne, or whatever their name. You can know the meaning of your name for free here, and it can be articulated as an invitation to search and read something that concerns them so directly.

Given their age and scope, the child will begin to be interested in what has to do with them, their family and their particular context. Exploiting all this knowledge will help his desire to learn to grow little by little, to expand beyond what affects him or concerns him directly.

Is it possible to teach art and culture to our kids?