How To Teach Your Children To Respect Differences

Society is becoming increasingly diverse, and because of that, children will increasingly be able to live with people who have other ways of living. Religion, customs, values ​​and behaviors test people’s tolerance and empathy. It is therefore important to teach children to respect differences even when they are young.

Wars, ideological conflicts and confrontations are due to a lack of respect for others. If you want your children to stand up for justice and equality, here are some recommendations that can help you along the way.

5 ways to teach your children to respect differences

The ability to respect others will benefit your children throughout their lives. Appreciating diversity helps them become better people, get new ideas and it strengthens their minds and social relationships.

1. Be a good role model

Be a good example and a good role model. You must respect others by celebrating differences and always being inclusive.

Start by evaluating how you behave before you demand or form behavior patterns in your children. Avoid discriminatory jokes and make sure you do not fall for stereotypes. All of this affects how your children see other people.

2. Help children build their self-esteem

If you want your children to respect differences and differences, focus first on developing their own self-esteem.  People with good self-esteem in general, especially children, can better absorb others without trying to change them.

Children with good self-esteem can trust their own decisions and do not feel that they have to follow the current. They can defend their views without trying to attack the worldview of others.

Let your children experience new experiences

It is common for people to seek relationships with others who share a worldview similar to their own. But the key to welcoming completely different people is to live with them.

Do not encourage your children to always stay within their comfort zones. Help them be curious and explore the world as it may be through other people’s eyes.

4. Prepare to answer questions

This is inevitable. Children want you to explain behaviors and things that are unusual for them. When that happens, you need to be prepared to handle the situation well.

Think about these things:

• Focus on the positive. The best way to answer when your child asks you about different races, body shapes, clothing styles or languages ​​is to be positive, direct and honest.
• Do not avoid their questions. When they ask you something, give them an answer. Children need information to create their ideas and perceptions about life and society.
• Encourage good behavior. Young children are not aware of social norms. That’s why it’s so important that you teach them to be respectful when confronted with them.
• Help them understand that differences are good and that we are equal in some ways. Show them that features make us special, but no matter how different we are, we always have something in common.

5. Teach tolerance

Children should respect all people equally no matter what they look like or what they do. It is a lesson you should teach your children over and over again so that they can apply and internalize the message.

One way to do this is through the media. Children’s books, movies and games can have good homework in them.

Remember: the first step towards teaching your children to respect differences is to do it yourself. We live in a big world. There are many cultures and social ideas that are important to know and accept.

Discriminating and avoiding others only means that we miss what makes each individual unique and interesting.