How to Make Your Child Sensitive About Difference

Today, most children are exposed to very diverse groups of people. In most classrooms, day cares, and communities, children encounter people of all races, religions, ages, lifestyles, and ability levels. While becoming familiar with a wide range of people can help a child grow and develop, when dealing with obvious differences, it is important that a child be taught early on to be sensitive to difference.

Younger children, especially, are sometimes confused about difference, and aren't sure how to react to people who seem different. Some children encourage their peers to make fun of people who are different. Not all children are taught respect differences in people, and without parental guidance, children will often just absorb the intolerance that they may see around them.

There are many things that parents can do to help make their children sensitive about differences: :

1. Make sure that your child does meet a wide range of people of all backgrounds, nationalities, and ability levels. If you and your child live in a community with very little diversity, it may be well worth it to visit other communities in order to experience other cultures. Consider trying new foods at an ethnic restaurant or volunteer some time at a center catering to the differently abled.
   
   
2. Be aware of your own feelings. Parents pass on their own feelings and beliefs to their children, often completely unconsciously. Even if you think that you are very tolerant, take a close look at your feelings about diversity and difference. Chances are, you pass them on to your child. If you are not aware of other cultures or do not know much about them, consider learning more so that you can pass on a better level of knowledge and understanding to your child
   
   
3. Talk to your child. Talking to your child about people that he or she meets who are different can help your child express their feelings. This can help you gauge how your child feels about difference and can allow you to discuss appropriate ways to behave around someone who is different.
   
   
4. Teach your child about his or her own culture and background. Make sure that your child knows enough about his or her background to feel secure in his or her own identity and proud of his or her uniqueness. Teach your child to respect this uniqueness in others.
   
   
5. Talk to your child about intolerance. When your child sees intolerance in action, discuss the situation with your child. Make sure that your child expresses their feelings to you about what they've seen or heard, and discuss together why intolerance happens and what can be done to prevent in.