As there would then be an emotional link for the children (the fun around learning the greeting and saying them daily) the knowledge surrounding the culture, people or country may stick somewhere in their minds, helping them to be a bit more aware that there is, indeed, a greater world out there that they, too, are a part of.

This could be both short- or long-term – depending on how many terms/ years you continue with it. It would have a greater impact if the mission was school-wide.

To assess that it is working: have a monthly or termly chat with the children about the languages/ cultures looked at over the past weeks. And then, if possible, link it to the next point: ‘Pen Pals with a modern twist’.

2)    Pen Pals – with a modern twist. Pen Pals is a great throwback to the 90s (for me) – I had quite a few and I simply loved hearing from people across the world! In a moment when the world was not so quickly connected (thanks internet and greater international travel), it was a way to feel connected. Fast-forward 30 years and here we are: with the world at our fingertips. So, let’s use it: Pen Pals with a modern twist.

Connect with schools across the world (teacher to teacher first) and then help the children to make contact with a child of the same age, from a country or culture that you have researched and discussed in class. This may be email (maybe as true to the pen pal ways of long ago) or a closed chat system (more immediate). Find out, first, what method of communication sits right with the parents/ caregivers (on both sides) and go from there.

Buy-in would need to be gained from the schools involved, as well as the parents/ caregivers, and then, of course, the children. Hopefully, because a link has already been made with the greeting activity, they will be excited to make further (real) international connections.

To assess that it is working: it’s a big one but perhaps an international trip could be planned – with some of the children meeting face-to-face on an exchange type programme.

On a smaller scale: have a whole class ‘face-to-face’ via a platform like Zoom - and record a ‘performance’ done together, like a dance or a song, that could be played to the whole school.

3)    As a Visual Art specialist, viewing art from around the world is a go-to for me; talking about who the artist is/ was; where they are/ were from; their style/ their influences; where they moved to etc.

Then, draw this into the children’s lives by asking them: What do you see/ think feel? How is your life the same? How is it different? Would this person’s story be the same if they were alive today? How so/ or how not so?

Finally: Create a piece in response to this – and allow the children to explore and respond to what has been discussed.

(Image: https://www.gettingsmart.com/2022/11/10/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-climate-change/)

Implementation of International Mindedness in school.

• Get students to create a family tree with pictures. They would present this to the class and have it displayed thereafter for the class to view it.

• A cultural day - this way we get to celebrate the different cultures and their differences.

• Encourage role-playing and story telling through activities.

• Create experiences with art, music and literature.