There are various reasons why parents and guardians should promote inclusivity in children both inside and outside of the classroom.
Through inclusivity, children have the opportunity to learn deeply about themselves, their unique qualities, and their personality while also welcoming others into their environment.
Here are four ways you can teach your children about inclusivity starting at home:
- Expand your child’s social circle
In order to help children become more inclusive, it’s important to encourage them to interact with other children outside their usual friend group.
Whether this is through extracurricular activities, birthday parties, or playdates, it’s important to teach them from a young age that there are people who might not look like them, speak like them, dress like them or eat like them. Normalizing cultural differences from a young age will help your child grow to be a more inclusive teenager and adult.
- Encourage your children to ask questions
In some cases, exclusion comes from a fear of the unknown or misunderstanding. By encouraging your children to ask questions, they’ll be more willing to learn why or how someone might seem different to them.
- Choose books that celebrate differences
Starting the conversation about inclusivity might feel difficult for some parents. Thankfully, there are plenty of children’s books that have tackled the subject and present an opening for parents and their children to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion.
Books like “Same, Same But Different” by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw, “It’s OK To Be Different” by Todd Parr, and “The Colors of Us” by Karen Katz are all great examples of books that accomplish this!
- Become a role model
Teaching through example is one of the most powerful ways to nurture the idea of inclusivity from a young age. Actions speak a lot louder than words, when your children see you acting a certain way, they’re more likely to do the same. That’s why it’s essential that a parent or guardian’s actions reflect a message of empathy, inclusivity, and connection.
Why is inclusivity important?
At first glance, inclusivity might seem like something that directly benefits others. However, once we look beyond this, it’s clear that inclusivity also has a positive effect on the people who practice it by showing them that their own qualities are meant to be celebrated, too.
Not only does raising an inclusive child mean they will grow up to be a more understanding and empathetic person, it will also help build their self-esteem and confidence for future occasions.
How do you promote inclusivity in your children? Let’s discuss in the comments other ways we can celebrate diversity from a young age! 🎉