What Makes Persian Families So Special? A Cultural Guide for Kids

Persian culture is rich with traditions, values, and ways of communicating that are both respectful and expressive. Children learning Persian can gain a deeper understanding of the language by learning how people greet each other, express themselves through gestures, and what values are most important in daily life. Let’s explore how Persian people show respect and kindness.

Greetings in Persian Culture

The most common greeting in Iran is “salaam”, which means peace. It’s used the same way we might say “hello,” but it also carries a warm, respectful tone. When Iranians meet, they often shake hands and may kiss each other on the cheeks, especially if they are close friends or family.

When greeting a child, shaking hands with them is not only a polite gesture—it also shows respect toward their parents. In Persian culture, good manners go a long way, and children are taught from a young age how to greet others respectfully.

Everyday Persian Gestures

Persian people also use gestures to communicate, and many of these are different from what children might be used to in other cultures:

• To signal “yes”, they dip their head down slightly and turn it.

• To say “no”, they move their head up and back quickly.

• To call someone over, they hold out their hand palm-down and curl their fingers in a scratching motion.

These gestures are a fun way for children to experience the Persian way of speaking without using words!

The Importance of Family

In Iran, family is the heart of social life. Most families are small, usually with one or two children, but they are very close. Iranian families place great value on respect, responsibility, and support for each other. Children are expected to help at home, show respect to elders, and stay connected with relatives.

Religion and Weekly Life

The main religion in Iran is Islam, and many people follow Islamic customs and holidays. However, Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion of Persia, is still practiced by some. For Muslims in Iran, Friday is the holy day and the main day of rest.

The workweek in Iran is different from many other countries. It runs from Saturday through Thursday, with Friday as the weekend. This is good to know for children learning Persian, especially if they want to understand how school and work are scheduled in Iran!

Learn Persian Culture and Language with Dinolingo

Children can discover more about greetings, values, and customs through interactive lessons with Dinolingo. With access to over 50 languages and fun resources for ages 2 to 14, Dinolingo lets kids learn at their own pace using videos, songs, stories, and games. Available on web, iOS, and Android, Dinolingo also offers offline access and a parent dashboard.

By learning Persian words and the cultural values behind them, kids can connect more deeply with the world around them!