Cultural+Diversity

=Cultural Diversity= TeenDIVERSOPHY specializes in teacher, staff and leadership development for schools, school districts and other groups working with high school age students. [|Teaching Diversity]

Children who are grade-school age are developmentally able to put cultural and racial differences into perspective. They can either learn to appreciate -- or devalue -- traits that make others different from themselves. In other words, it’s prime time for parents and other adults in their lives to shape their attitudes about race and cultural diversity. Here are some things to keep in mind as you talk to your child about the value of differences. Today, our schools and neighborhoods tend to be more diverse, giving kids a chance to interact with children from other cultures and backgrounds. There’s no doubt that we still have a long way to go, but it’s great time to be an American. And as an American, I am proud of the fact that celebration of differences is what makes our country so special and great. [|Cultural Diversity Teachings]
 * You don’t have to teach tolerance.** Here’s the beautiful thing about kids: Most are born with a natural sense of justice and fairness. Unless they are taught to be hurtful and cruel, children know that it’s wrong to attack others either physically or with words. All we have to do is nurture this natural love of people and get out of their way.
 * Don’t discourage questions.** If your child has questions about differences in physical characteristics or cultural practices, discuss them openly. This teaches your child that it’s okay to notice differences, and more importantly, it teaches him that it’s good to talk about them.
 * Teach him to value racial and cultural diversity.** Your grade-schooler will learn about other cultures, both past and present in the classroom. At home, you can use these lessons as an excellent opportunity to emphasize the value racial and cultural diversity.
 * See the broader value of teaching acceptance.** Learning to appreciate all kinds of differences -- not just racial and cultural but differences in socioeconomic levels, gender, and even disabilities -- is an important skill in today’s diverse society. A child who is taught to devalue others based upon differences will face a tough and lonely road ahead.
 * Take a look at your own attitude.** If you are uneasy or uncomfortable around people of different backgrounds, your child will pick up on it. Consider the way you talk about people. Do you describe someone by their race rather than other characteristics first? What messages are you sending for your child to pick up?
 * Discuss images in the media.** We live in an age where there’s more diversity in the media -- in movies, on television, in ads -- practically everywhere we look. Some are less desirable than others. Discuss negative stereotypes and ask your grade-schooler why they are unfair or wrong.

How to raise race tolerant children [|Talking to kids about race]

Muticultural Toys for Children [|Multicultural Toys and Dolls] [|Circle Time] [|children of the world] [|Multicultural Toy Box]