We live in an increasingly smaller world all thanks to the advent of technology and diversity inclusions. Diversity is often seen in the media outlet regularly and people are keen on talking about it.
Our students are exposed to diversity continually, in both good ways and bad. As diversity becomes more prevalent worldwide, how do we, as parents, prepare our kids, the next generation to embrace diversity responsibly and maturely? The classroom is a great place to start this conversation. Initiating studies about tolerance, awareness of diversity within the safety of a classroom will benefit students both now and in the future.
Here are more benefits of socioeconomic diversity in school
Open-Mindedness to New Perspectives
It’s very easy to get caught up in one’s bubble of thoughts and opinions, especially when you’re a young student. However, when diversity present and discussed, it brings about a fresh set of new perspectives that often leads to open-mindedness. When a person has a respectful conversation with another who offers a different point of view, their eyes are opened to new thoughts. When students are allowed to experience situations because of varying perspectives on that situation, they will experience personal development and a better way of dealing with diversity in the modern world.
Give a Sense of Empathy
Being aware of an issue won’t be enough to cause empathy. However, when that “issue” is connected to the names and faces of fellow students, awareness can become empathy – a true desire to understand another’s viewpoint. Letting students listen to struggles or other’s experiences about race or culture will allow them to understand more about the diversity challenge some people face. Moreover, it allows students to see another perspective that can prompt them to realize there is a larger world beyond the classroom, and they will be able to empathize more with different people.
Promotes Personal Growth
One of the major benefits of diversity in the classroom. This is when students learn about other groups’ struggles, experiences, perspectives and they can reflect and respond to that information. They can then ask themselves questions that encourage personal growth. When respectful, open-ended discussions about diversity are catered in the classroom, teachers can use effective conversation and utilize moments to promote personal growth in every student.
Prepares Students for Diversity in the Workplace
Intolerance and ignorance are unacceptable in the modern workplace. Each employee is expected to behave appropriately and act maturely, especially when diversity is involved. Exposing students to diversity early in life will benefit them significantly when entering the workplace, as they will be more tolerant, understanding, and open-minded about differences in people.
School prepares kids for life
Focusing solely on preparing the students for the next grade or the next school is easy. But parents and teachers alike need to constantly strive to mold learners into the best versions of themselves, by preparing them for a world of diversity – teaching them understanding, empathy, and love. Encouraging kids to embrace diversity fosters those characteristics and lets them become more successful in life, not just in career, but as a human being who is kind to others and respectful of people’s differences.
To summarize, socioeconomic diversity in school means there is a mix of students from different social backgrounds, income levels, and in many cases racial and ethnic backgrounds. This diversity is offered by international schools that often provide other learning paths like bilingual programme, which amplifies diversity tolerance and respect.
Indeed, diversity is an important element of any classroom alike. How nice will it be to live in a world where everyone has diversity respect and acceptance, whether racial, ethnic, or others.
