Kids are naturally curious. They look to you for guidance, understanding, and support. To begin answering their questions, you must fully understand yourself. So, the first step to starting this conversation is to educate yourself on inclusion. How do you approach this topic in ways that don’t offend or confuse your children?
The key is to have the conversation when it may be the last thing you want to do–much like the dreaded sex talk. It’s important that kids understand and learn about diversity, culture, and disabilities because they’re a part of the world they live in. Here are some ways to open up and start talking to your children about inclusion.
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Table of Contents
Provide a Safe Space
Recognize that people are different and let your children know it’s OK to notice differences and ask about them. It’s completely OK to be curious, and it’s a natural part of learning and growing. How can you comprehend someone different from yourself without asking to understand? Don’t ignore differences in others and pretend they don’t exist.
The conversations about diversity and inclusion that we need to have with our children are about acceptance as much as understanding. That starts with yourself because kids shouldn’t feel like curiosity is a crime. It’s a normal part of growing and learning, and we should encourage them to ask all the questions they want.
Provide a safe space for your child to express their questions, concerns, thoughts and emotions openly. Observing that flowers are different colors and wondering why isn’t a crime and neither is being curious about people and why other races exist.
Use Examples to Acknowledge Differences
Teachers and parents often use real-world examples to teach kids about educational subjects, like weather and history. The same concept applies to teaching about diversity and inclusion. Use examples to help them understand and connect with what you’re talking about.
Knowing your child’s learning style can help you tailor your teaching to how they learn best. You can use books, movies, TV shows, and people you know as examples to show them what differences are and how important it is to practice inclusivity. Portray the strengths and weaknesses of people different from your child to give them a better understanding.
Being inclusive means involving everyone regardless of differences and making everyone feel like they belong. Shows that cast actors with disabilities to play roles they identify with are prime examples of inclusion. Since about 25% of our population consists of those living with disabilities, they should be included and accurately conveyed by those who know what it’s like to help others understand how they’re different and the same as everyone else.
Feeling left out isn’t fun— if your child has never experienced that, they will. The world is made up of people from different backgrounds and cultures. You will meet people who look differently than you, speak, hear, and come from different family backgrounds. That doesn’t make anyone less or more deserving than you–it just makes them different.
Being different shouldn’t have a negative connotation because we are all different in our ways–unique and special in our own right. Explain to your child how they’re different by using cultures and traditions you practice in your family and comparing them to how others celebrate, whether on TV or in real life.
Meet Them Where They Are
It’s important to understand where your children are in their journey of understanding and including those around them. Diversity surrounds us, from the people we encounter to what we read and watch in the media. Teaching your kids how to be inclusive can also teach them how to love themselves and know their worth, which can build their self-esteem and help them help others to do the same.
Begin by asking your child questions about what they know. Find out what they think they know about being inclusive, explain to them whether they’re right or wrong and then explain why. If kids aren’t asking their parents these questions, they’re likely asking someone else–even if that means the internet or their interpretation of shows or movies. There isn’t a wrong question, and it’s essential that your child knows that.
Take their age into account, and if something is too heavy for them to understand, explain that you will discuss it further when they’re older. This may not warrant an ideal response, but it’s best not to lie to them only for them to discover the truth later because that can damage your trust.
If you don’t have the answers to their questions, that’s OK. Learn together by researching and finding solutions until you both understand. It’s perfectly OK to be on this journey together, although you’re the parent. Take a gentle approach and ensure your child understands that you’re learning and growing together. Ignoring things, you don’t understand or casting them off because you don’t have answers will only cause more confusion for your child.
Beginning Conversations About Inclusivity
Kids should feel comfortable and empowered around each other regardless of their background, identity, race, or other differences. The shift to an inclusive culture has begun, but its growth relies on the next generation and how they continue to provide an environment that’s warm, welcoming, and inclusive to everyone. That’s where you come in–teach your kids how to keep it going.
