Teaching Toddlers About Diversity

While your toddler is too young to actually grasp the concept of diversity, she is not to young to notice differences in people.  Raising a child who is unbiased and accepting can be easily accomplished during the lessons in your everyday life.

  
Almost every parent has had that one embarrassing moment. It happens in a store, at a park, or at a family event.  Without warning, your toddler (loudly) calls attention to someone who is different from him. It may be the color of a person’s skin, a different language, the size of a person, or a disability that your toddler notices, but now he is filled with questions. So, how can you teach your child about the differences between people? 

The most important thing is to examine your own beliefs and feelings. If you harbor any prejudice at all it can affect your child. Even jokes or words that are used in your home between adults can shape your child’s belief system. Some studies have shown that children as young as two, who have been exposed to prejudice in the home, will verbalize those same views.

Although the recognition of differences is a natural part of your toddler’s development, fear, intolerance and cruelty are learned behaviors.  So, the first step is to take a hard look at the lessons that your child learns at home and to be sure that you are living an example of the behaviors you hope your toddler will adopt.

Another thing to consider is your toddler’s own self-esteem. Children (and adults) who feel comfortable and accepted in their own lives, are often more tolerant and accepting of others. People with low self-esteem often seem compelled to ridicule others. Be accepting of your child, including his own imperfections or differences, and that acceptance will carry over to others. 

Finally, it is important to expose your child to a variety of people, places and cultures. If your toddler has questions, be open in answering them. If you don’t know the answer, be honest about that as well but discuss how you can find the answer together. 

Even if you live in an area in which there isn’t much diversity, you can still foster an attitude of acceptance in your toddler. Differences exist everywhere in the world, even among similar people.        

Photo of pumpkins courtesy of BSK/stock.xchange
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