#Iceberg model of culture examples how to

Surface culture (what’s above the water line) make up the easy to see things: things like clothing, celebrations, dancing, art, music, food, and languages.ĭeep culture (what’s below the water line), meanwhile, includes the more difficult to see parts of culture: things like our attitudes, beliefs, norms, morals, ethics and communication styles. Just like an iceberg where what’s above the waterline represents only a portion of the whole thing, culture is more than what it seems on the surface. We love using metaphors and imagery to help us break down big ideas, and the cultural iceberg model is a powerful example of this! Culture can be a complex thing to define for adults, let alone trying to explain it to the little people in your life. If you’re struggling, don’t worry, you’re not alone. When we talk about culture, what do you think of? Can you articulate it in a sentence? Through appreciating and understanding our differences, we can make space for them to all fully shine! It’s also through deeply learning about different cultures, through many different perspectives, that we can dispel stereotypes and personal biases. It helps us recognise and respect ways of being, thinking, learning and playing that aren’t the same as our own, helping us realise that there’s no “normal” way of doing things. Learning about people who are different to us helps us understand things from different perspectives.

#Iceberg model of culture examples how to

While there are many differences to explore and opportunities to appreciate, it’s also important that young people learn how to respond appropriately. Growing up in a multicultural society is an experience unlike any other. Why Understanding Cultural Differences Is Important Read on for more about where the idea came from and how you can use it in the classroom (or home!) to foster better conversations about culture. If you’re an educator, you'll know how important it is to teach cross-cultural understanding and respect - and how hard it can be! Some students may live in a community where they’re the only one of their kind, while others attend school with children who come from lots of different backgrounds and traditions than they do.Īs we see more cultural capabilities being added to the curriculum, it's important educators have the right tools and frameworks to talk about differences in a safe way with young people.įrom the title, you probably guessed that one framework we absolutely love is the Cultural Iceberg model.