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Respecting Differences: Everyday Ways to Teach Children About Respect
City University of New York - Queens College
Pace University
Now more than ever, people are aware of the importance of teaching children to respect people of various sizes, abilities, ethnicities and ages. When children respect themselves and others, they feel good about who they are. When children learn to value people who are different from themselves, they are better prepared to live peacefully in a diverse world.
Because children learn during everyday moments, it is important that adults remain aware of what we say and do. Children can learn that people are more alike than different, and that all people (no matter what color, size, ability or age) want love, joy and security. It all depends on the messages they're hearing.
Messages play an important role in how children learn. Children today are getting multiple messages from media and society. By becoming more aware of the messages our children are receiving and focusing on the positive ones, we can influence the messages that our children receive.