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What does it mean to be a global citizen?
Am I a good global citizen?
How do I teach my kids to be good global citizens?
If you’re like me, these types of question probably swirl around in head when you’re traveling.
In today’s connected world, answers to these questions seem to be more important then ever. We no longer live in a world where the current events of other countries don’t impact us.
For me it’s important to learn the impact that we have on the world around us. Not just at the local level, but globally as well. That is what being a good global citizen means to me and what we are trying to teach our children.
In part 3 of what toddlers teach us about travel, we’ll address how we both learn and teach what it means to be a good global citizen.
1. How do you want the places you visit to look in the future?
We recently went on a trip to Dinosaur National Monument in Dinosaur, Colorado. After a long, steep 8 mile drive we arrived at Echo Park in the bottom of the canyon. On the way down the canyon we passed the whispering cave and thought about checking it out on our way back up.
While at Echo Park we met a park ranger and asked about the cave. I’m usually a bit cautious when it comes to taking kids in caves… Anyways, he said that it was worth checking out, you didn’t have to go too deep, and feeling the wind that blows through was really cool.
Sadly, he also told us you can no longer see the pictographs in the cave because so many people have etched in the cave. At that we headed off to check it out.
On the way in we saw the sign. We’d never seen one like it before. Could it really be that bad?
Yah, it really could be and it was. The inside of the cave looked like a big graffitied rock with every square inch etched or sharpied with someone’s name.
How disappointing.
When we got in the cave my son looked bewildered. At home we constantly remind him paper is for coloring and writing your name. Now he found himself standing in a cave that flew in the face of everything we teach at home.
“Why mommy?”, he asked. “Because some people feel the need to leave their mark.” I answered. My husband then added, “but is a bad choice, right?” “Yes”, he replied sadly, “they should go to jail.” At 3 and 5 going to jail is the worst possible outcome in their minds. No toys and no ice cream. Yikes! I didn’t bother correcting him. They likely wouldn’t be caught and if they were, would receive a fine at worst.
In a strange way I appreciated his outrage.
Maybe this lesson about being a good global citizen will be lifelong. He missed the opportunity to see the cave in its uninterrupted state. And, it really bothered him.
The lesson: Leave no trace. Those who come after want to enjoy it too.
2. How do you learn about your impact on the world?
We’re sitting in the movie room at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore watching the +5 Degrees movie. Our boys are 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 at the time. They need a break.
Staying and watching this movie is worrisome because they don’t sit well through documentaries. I mean who can blame them, they are toddlers after all and documentaries aren’t really their idea of a great time.
Perhaps against better judgement. We stay.
The documentary walks through what happens as the Earth warms by 5C. Devastation starts to fill the screen as areas of the Earth become uninhabitable, animals die, human populations are forced to move, and whole species become extinct. Heavy stuff for toddlers to wrap their mind around for sure.
Not only do they sit through the entire movie, our oldest son keeps asking questions about what is happening. Why are the animals dying mommy? Why does the earth look like that?
Its intended effect has landed. The boys have been captivated and are rightly concerned about what they’ve seen. For the first time they’ve become aware of the fact that they are global citizens and their actions impact the world as a whole.
Global warming is not a new topic. I’ve obviously heard about global warming for a while now as have most if not all of us.
But, for the first time it hits me, what world are we leaving behind for our children or for their children.
What actions can we take? Even small actions to protect our future and teach our kids to be good global citizens. Reduce plastic consumption, reuse items instead of buying new, think in a sustainable way.
The lesson: Find ways to reduce your footprint. Generations to come will thank you.
3. How do you learn about cultural diversity?
I love learning about culture and history. So much so I’ve continued to take university courses on religion, literature, and history. I’ve always wanted to learn more languages, but still haven’t made the time. My husband is bilingual and I admire that about him.
The big guy started to learn Spanish in school this year. Hurray! He’s been teaching me a few new words and phrases which came in handy when we visited the Dominican Republic earlier this year.
Anyways, it’s also sparked his understanding that people from different backgrounds speak different languages. This plays out in a number of different ways….
At the Grand Canyon we’re taking in the scenery from an overlook when I hear the big guy say: “Hello, what language do you speak?”. I turn around. “Oh gosh, I’m sorry, he’s recently discovered other people speak different languages.” The woman smiles warmly. “It’s okay”, she says looking at him, “I speak English and Chinese.” “Wow, I speak English!”, he replies back.
I’m still standing there mortified when Troy looks at me and says: “He’s learning about the people around him. That other people are different from us. It’s okay.”
And so the trip continues. We meet people who speak English (they’re confused by the question), Spanish, Chinese, French, and a couple that speaks Farcy (he’s especially excited about this one).
Each time I’m surprised by the kindness and willingness of the people we meet to share with him where they are from and the languages they speak.
I realize my fear of him offending someone is unfounded. While I’m sure at some point this will happen, the vast majority of people are intrigued by his curiosity and are happy to teach him a little about their culture. They are happy to help us teach our children to be global citizens. Champions of all languages and cultures and lifelong learners of those who are different to them.
He’s teaching me that by practicing bravery and vulnerability you can meet tons of people who are happy to share a little bit of themselves with you. It’s adding to our bucket list. The more people we meet, the more places we want to explore further.
Thank-you to all those who are willing to share with us. You are helping to shape our children’s future!
The lesson: Learning about language and culture teaches us more about ourselves and broadens our views.
