How do you do you teach them?

United States
June 26, 2008 8:41am CST
My son is 4 years old and is now starting to notice that people come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. Unfortunately we are not in a very ethnically diverse location (not by choice but by necessity.) I want him to know about different cultures but I'm not sure how to do this. If anyone has any good suggestions I would appreciate this. The majority of our town is Caucasian with a very small mixture of other ethnicities. I do not wish to offend anyone with this post as it is a serious question. He's my first child and I have no clue how to explain to him the different cultures and I do not want him to grow up sheltered.
2 people like this
5 responses
• United States
26 Jun 08
Just tell the child.."People comes in all shapes, sizes and colours! But they are just like you. Some people have more of a chemical called Melonin in the skin and it makes them darker. Some have less and are more light or white. But the feeligs are the same for all people, so be real nice to everyone and..GEE , isn't that interesting and great?!" Your child doen't think anyhting much about it. If the child sees you being nice to everyone, so will they!
• United States
27 Jun 08
Thats good advice too! Thank you very much!
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
26 Jun 08
The best way is to address it naturally as it comes up. You could discuss the differences between people he knows, like height, hair color, voice and so on. Or discuss some of the differences in characters in books or TV shows he likes. These are small differences that can be a good starting point. There are some great books available about cultural diversity, ones that talk about different languages people speak, different clothing styles, and so on. Be open and honest, but only give as much information as is necessary. Too many details can be more confusing than educational for young children.
• United States
27 Jun 08
Yes I see your point! He's at a very curious stage so I will take your advice to heart! thank you so very much!
@subha12 (18441)
• India
27 Jun 08
it is quite sensitive situation. make him understand that first of all its natural. like all fingers in hand, all people are not the same.then there are things taht vary with the origin of the people,. the outside may be different, but bottom inside all are human beings.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
27 Jun 08
I am white and one of my very close friends from childhood is black. When my oldest daughter was very young , she screamed the first time she met him. I was a bit embarrassed but he handled it well. He scooped her up and just started telling her stories about how he knew me and all. Soon she was just comfortable with him. We don't have much diversity here either but i've alway talked very openely with my girls on these subjects. they know how I feel and my feelings have managed to rub off on them. It is not only people of different color, it is the mentally handicapped and the overweight and on and on....my girls were raised to treat everyone with respect. Whenever they got picked on for something, I always pointed out to them to remember how they feel right now whether it be zits or overweight...and never ever make someone else feel this way. I don't know...it worked. I've raised 4 really nice people.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
26 Jun 08
I never really made a big deal out of it, and I didn't go looking for things to point out. Occasionally things will come along that allow me to explain a different culture. Such as in my area, around Christmas time there is a display of Christmas around the world. We visit it every year as a tradition, and I'm able to teach the children bits about other cultures and how they celebrate their holidays. Occasionally questions will arise about things and I answer them as honestly as I possibly can. Or sometimes something will happen and I'll say "Did you know that in (enter country here)...." you get the idea... I don't really make it a big focus to teach about other cultures, but when opportunity arises, I take advantage of it.
• United States
26 Jun 08
Good point! Thank you! I guess its just me freaking out! Thanks for posting! :)