Raising Inclusive Kids - Tips and Strategies to Consider

We often talk to our children about how they hang out with their friends and peers in school. It is not bizarre to find children hanging out in a clique with only a few of their batchmates or preferring to talk to only a group of close-tied friends. Also, you may find children often engaging in name-calling or making fun of a peer because they are different. However, these incidences can be a cue to raising inclusive kids.

 The Need for Inclusive Parenting

It is essential to understand that we live in a multicultural country where people follow different cultures, speak different languages, belong to divergent races, and even have dissimilar skin colors. 

In such a scenario, it is essential to make our kids understand and respect the differences so that they can grow up to be more compassionate, empathetic, and inclusive human beings. 

Raising Inclusive kids - Important Tips to Follow

Here are some tips and strategies to consider while raising inclusive kids. 

Educate kids about diverse cultures and races.

Have An Open Discussion

Kids often come up with a myriad of questions about why some people look or behave differently. As parents, it is necessary to keep an open mind and answer all the questions patiently. 

More importantly, we as parents must try to figure out what provoked the questions in the feeble minds of our children and then provide an age-appropriate answer for the same. 

Never avoid the questions if you do not know the answer instantly. Tell your child you will find an answer and get back to them later. Only by targeting the questions correctly can we make our children appreciate the diversity in people and raise more inclusive kids. 

                                          

Model Inclusive Behavior

Remember, children are very good observers. They learn most things by mimicking the behavior of adults. Therefore, the best strategy for raising inclusive kids is by reflecting a behavior devoid of stereotypes and judgments. We can take the very first step into modeling inclusive behavior by expanding our social circle to people from different cultural backgrounds. 

Socializing with different people also exposes kids to the concept of diversity. Eventually, they will learn to celebrate differences, avoid stereotypes, and use respectful language for people of all creeds and cultures. They will learn to treat people with the same respect and kindness as they expect from them.

 

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Develop Compassion, Empathy, and High Self-Esteem

Compassion and empathy are basic cognitive skills that help children grow into more kind and helping human beings. They can understand how others feel by putting themselves in their shoes. 

These values also teach children how to behave with people in society during different scenarios. More importantly, it makes children feel capable and competent, eventually raising their self-esteem. 

You can teach children to be more compassionate and empathetic by occasionally helping friends or neighbors who are in need.

 

                

Prepare Them for Different Scenarios

At times, you are inevitably caught in an embarrassing situation with your kids. In that case, you need to apologize for your child’s mistake and teach them the right thing to do. 

Other times, your child may use inappropriate language or unacceptable terms while asking questions. In that case, gently correct them by showing better alternatives. 

Sometimes, children ask inappropriate questions in public. It is obvious to feel uncomfortable in such a scenario. But we as parents must understand that our kids are too young to perceive social norms. 

It is our responsibility to provide a simple yet positive response. You can tell them later not to ask such questions in public, as it may hurt some people.

                             

 More Tips to Raise Inclusive Kids

With that said, it is also imperative to subjectively expose children to diverse experiences and different people. You can provide that exposure as parents by attending local cultural events or traveling to different places. Media and books are effective portals for teaching kids about divergent cultures and ethnicities. 

As you help them explore the differences, also emphasize the similarities that we share as human beings. It will help them connect with people at a more humane level than superficial differences. These basic life skills are essential for raising inclusive kids.

Also read-

Bringing aliveness in parenting and relationships

References-

https://www.usnews.com/

https://www.parents.com/

https://biglifejournal.com/

https://www.thetot.com/