How to raise children in a multicultural environment?

Raising children in any environment presents unique challenges, but in a multicultural city like Calgary, parents face particularly complex issues of balancing the preservation of their cultural heritage with adaptation to Canadian norms and values. This issue becomes even more relevant when families try to help their children develop a healthy cultural identity that combines elements of different traditions and creates a solid foundation for a successful life in a globalized world.

Understanding cultural identity and its formation

A child's cultural identity begins to form at an early age through close relationships within the family and community. Research shows that children begin to recognize their cultural or racial identity at around 3-4 years of age and develop a deeper understanding of cultural differences by 7-9 years of age. In a multicultural environment such as Calgary, where 33% of children aged 0-14 and 36% of young people aged 15-25 belong to visible minorities, this issue becomes particularly important.

Cultural identity includes a variety of elements: language, food, music, family roles, geographic origin, hobbies, and professional aspirations. It is especially important for children from multicultural families to understand that they can identify with different cultures at different times in their lives and that this is a natural part of developing their own identity.

Intercultural parenting support programs

Calgary offers a wide range of specialized programs designed to support parents in navigating different cultural expectations. The Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA) runs a comprehensive Cross Cultural Parenting Program, which includes training sessions for parents of children aged 0 to 6, specialized programs for parents of teenagers, individual parenting support, and customized programs for parents, grandparents, and people with disabilities.

The program runs for 6-8 weeks with two-hour sessions twice a week and is available at various locations throughout Calgary. Of particular value is that program materials are available in nine languages: Arabic, Dinka, Farsi, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. This ensures that the program is accessible to the widest range of immigrant families.

Immigrant Services Calgary also offers intercultural parenting workshops that focus on practical strategies for combining cultural values with Canadian expectations. These programs are especially helpful for parents who are struggling to adapt their traditional parenting approaches to new social realities.

Educational opportunities and language programs

Calgary Board of Education (CBE) offers unique opportunities to support the multicultural development of children. The CBE system includes immersion language programs and bilingual programs in French, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), and German. These programs not only develop language skills, but also deepen cultural understanding and cognitive flexibility.

French education in Calgary is particularly well developed, offering both Francophone education for children from French-speaking families and French immersion programs for families without a French background. Research shows that bilingual education not only provides competitive advantages in the job market, but also develops better problem-solving skills, increases mental agility, and may even delay the onset of dementia in later life.

Heritage Language Schools through the Southern Alberta Heritage Language Association (SAHLA) offer instruction in over 40 languages. These schools play a critical role in preserving cultural heritage by allowing children to develop literacy in their native language alongside English. Examples of such schools include the Swedish School of Calgary, Calgary Chinese Alliance School, and The Chinese Academy, which offer systematic language and culture instruction.

Building a healthy cultural identity

Research in the field of children's cultural development shows that children with a strong cultural identity demonstrate better academic performance, higher self-esteem, and overall well-being. However, building such an identity in a multicultural environment requires conscious efforts on the part of parents and educational institutions.

It is important to create flexible program structures that take into account the individual needs of children, including culturally appropriate routines, the use of diverse children's literature, and the incorporation of cultural elements into daily activities. Educators and parents should continuously improve their cultural competence through training and reflective practice.

Practical challenges and solutions

One of the main challenges faced by multicultural families is balancing the preservation of traditional values with adaptation to Canadian norms. Children naturally imitate the behavior of their peers, regardless of their culture or religion, which can create tension in families where parents try to preserve traditional approaches to parenting.

Calgary Learning Institute emphasizes the importance of open dialogue between parents and children. Parents should explain their decisions and cultural norms while demonstrating a willingness to learn about and understand Canadian culture. For example, if parents do not allow their child to sleep over at a friend's house for cultural reasons, it is important to explain why and offer alternatives, such as inviting friends over to their home.

Support from the Calgary Board of Education

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) has a comprehensive support system for families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Diversity and Learning Support Advisors provide cultural and language support, working with a variety of languages and cultural communities. If a family's native language is not listed among those with which the advisors work, the CBE provides translation services for all languages on the Language Interpreting List.

The Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program builds cultural connections, identifies mentors, and provides guidance to students as they adjust to their new life in Calgary. This program is especially important for newly arrived families as it helps build a bridge between the home culture and the school environment.

Programs for Indigenous Peoples and Reconciliation

CBE also places a special focus on Indigenous education through the Indigenous Education Holistic Lifelong Learning Framework. This program creates opportunities for all students, staff, and school communities to engage in practices that promote reconciliation and understanding of Indigenous cultures.

YMCA Calgary Indigenous Programs offer registration and drop-in programs to support Indigenous children, youth, and families in developing cultural identity, leadership, and connections with Calgary's urban Indigenous communities. Programs include Chickadees Clan for elementary school students and Prairie Chicken Lodge for middle school students, which combine cultural learning with academic support.

City initiatives and recreation programs

The City's cultural diversity department, Calgary Parks and Recreation, works to create an inclusive environment that values diversity and supports equitable access to recreational services. The department focuses on four priorities: consultation, training, resource development, and building relationships with diverse community organizations.

Calgary Parks has adapted its public consultation processes to improve the participation of ethnocultural minorities, including visiting mosques and participating in Punjabi radio stations. The city is also looking into adapting sports facilities to the needs of different cultural communities, such as building cricket fields in areas with large South Asian populations.

Preschool and early childhood development programs

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) operates the Cross Cultural Children's Centre, a licensed daycare center for children aged 19 months to 5 years. The centre promotes a positive and integrated environment where children of newcomers and Canadian origin can thrive together, with a special focus on culturally appropriate care, language development, and school readiness.

Families Matter Calgary, through its Early Learning Across Cultures (ELAC) program, provides educational and outreach activities for caregivers and children ages 3-5. The program integrates cultural traditions, customs, and celebrations, helping newly arrived families access resources for their families.

Strategies for Parents

Successfully raising children in a multicultural environment requires parents to take a strategic approach to balancing cultures. The Calgary Learning Institute recommends that parents be open to learning about Canadian culture while maintaining pride in their own heritage. It is important to create an atmosphere at home where children feel comfortable discussing their experiences and the challenges they face.

Active participation in school life and community events helps parents better understand the local culture and build support networks. Volunteering with various organizations and participating in cultural events and festivals create opportunities for families to share their culture and learn about others.

Long-term strategies and prospects

The CARE Strategy Framework, developed to support children and youth from immigrant families in Calgary, emphasizes the importance of multisectoral collaboration between government, funders, immigrant-serving organizations, and community institutions. The strategy focuses on four key areas: strengthening core cultural competencies, improving access to and coordination of services, conducting and disseminating quality research, and strengthening linkages with education systems.

Raising children in Calgary's multicultural environment presents both challenges and incredible opportunities. With the right support, resources, and strategies, children can develop a strong, multi-layered cultural identity that combines the best of different traditions and prepares them for success in a globalized world. The key lies in taking advantage of the rich resources the city has to offer, actively participating in community life, and creating an open dialogue within the family that combines respect for traditions with a willingness to adapt and grow.