Growing Up Global: Raising Children to Be At Home in the World

by Homa Sabet Tavangar

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, how do we prepare our children to succeed and to become happy, informed global citizens? A mother of three, Homa Sabet Tavangar has spent her career helping governments develop globally oriented programs and advising businesses on how to thrive abroad. In Growing Up Global , Tavangar shares with all of us her “parenting toolbox” to help give our children a vital global perspective.

Whether you’re mastering a greeting in ten different languages, throwing an internationally themed birthday party, or celebrating a newfound holiday, Growing Up Global provides parents and children with a rich, exciting background for exploring and connecting with far-flung nations they may have only heard about on television. Inside you’ll discover

• fun activities, games, and suggestions for movies, music, books, magazines, service activities, and websites for expanding your family’s worldview
• simple explanations that will help your children grasp the diversity of world faiths
• creative ways to gain geography literacy
• handy lists of celebrations and customs that offer a fascinating look at how people from different cultures around the world live everyday life

Growing Up Global is a book that parents, grandparents, and teachers can turn to again and again for inspiration and motivation as they strive to open the minds of children everywhere.

Genres: Parenting, Education, Nonfiction, Teaching

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ardyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful! Filled with resources and ideas to incorporate global awareness into life at home or school. From simple to sophisticated, from small daily changes to films and projects, great for parents or teachers whose kids range anywhere between preschool and high school senior year.

Worth owning so you can refer to it - and use its ideas - often.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I ended up skimming over a lot of this book. It has a holier-than-thou tone to it which annoyed me. There was also a lot of information that just didn't interest me. I did, however, find value in her list of foreign films for kids and books that can help kids gain a more global perspective.

[Amy Renshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that encourages kids to explore the world's wonderful diversity of races, religions, and cultures with enthusiasm and respect. It's a must-read for encouraging your kids or students to be world citizens and connect with friends of many backgrounds and beliefs. A trusted and treasured resource!

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for everyone, whether you have children or not! Tavangar breaks this comprehensive book into nine, easy to read chapters. Topics range from religion to food to media and beyond. Each section includes a huge array of resources and activities, broken down by age, for cultivating a more global and empathetic mindset in both children and ourselves. She finishes with an overview of the Millennium Development Goals loaded with tips for advancing them both locally and globally. I read this through my library, but I will be purchasing it as it is such a treasure trove of ideas that I will be coming back to for years to come. There truly is something for everyone in this book; highly recommended!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing Up Global is an excellent resource for any home or classroom. The book contains great ideas for broadening kids access to the bigger world through play, film, activities, and conversations. I love the wide range of ideas to learn about different cultures and ethnicities to deepen understanding and empathy.

[Erin Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finishing this book in 2025 made some aspects outdated, but the meat of the book is absolutely invaluable to anyone wanting to raise global kids—as a parent, a caregiver, a family member, or a teacher.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best suited to parents of younger children who themselves don’t have much international experience

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this hoping to get some good ideas for work, but it really is intended as more of a home manual--things families can do together to build a more global outlook/awareness of other cultures. Tons of great ideas, some much easier than others unless you have a lot of time on your hands.

Was a little disappointed with the few references to the "Far East" that were included (And does anyone still call it the Far East? Wouldn't East Asia be more PC?), but overall I did come away with a much greater appreciation for my own childhood and all the little ways my parents were able to introduce with world to my sister and me without ever going too far from home.

[Mark Vornholt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't read it cover-to-cover, juust went through and read the chapters that jumped out at me. Lots of good ideas, but I'd love to meet the people who have enought free time to commit to all of this. Enjoyable and inspiring or guilt inducing, depending on the week you're having.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat book about creating global awareness and knowledge for your kids and family. Full of ideas and resources. Would have been great to have around when the girls were younger. The section on world music helped me discover I really like Brazilian bossanova.

[Laurene Jewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives a lot of great recommendations and things to think about and fun things to do for ones family. I will definitely be referencing this book for the future.

[Allison]

Skimmed. Not much for how to books... Unless maybe it was the basis for a discussion.

[Mommywest]

For future ideas for preschool