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No matter what people think we live in a racist and biased society and it will always be that way to an extent. Teaching our children how to treat others with respect no matter who they are is key for trying to make prejudice disappear. We have to lead by example and do not make remarks about other races and cultures to our children or others.
Prejudge comes in all shapes and forms, many people think it is about race alot of the time but it can also be gender, disabilities, religions, lifestyles, etc. If you lead by example then you are instilling proper values into your child that should help him/her with their own skills for social interaction throughout life.
Between the ages of 2-5 is a time when children are first becoming aware of differences between others and themselves. So this is a crucial time to teach your child to respect others by example. If you make negative remarks yourself your child is bond to make the same remarks you do. So watch what you say remember it is important to your child that everyone does not have to be the same and that you must treat others as they would want to be treated.
If your child is the victim of prejudice then there are things that you can do to comfort your child to help them realize that what the other child did was wrong. First off listen to your child and do not blow it off saying that "kids just say the craziest things sometimes" your child wants to talk about it.
You can explain to them that some people say mean things because they do not know any better. Teach them that is wrong to hurt someone else's feeling because of something that they can not control. Also that they can not control what others say or how they feel but knot themselves. So do not pay attention to the mean children saying bad things, and do not copy them.
Teach your child where they can point out unfairness. If they are called hurtful name or hear someone else calling someone a hurtful name, tell them they can point it out by saying my name is so and so not whatever bad thing they are being called. Also they can tell the child that is is unfair to say hurtful things to them or others just because they are different.
Teaching your child to be able to handle themselves in a situation where one may be discriminate them can be very helpful for them now and in their future. teach your child that if everyone were the same in this world it would not be as fun. Difference can make you special and unique and we should all learn to embrace it.
Remember if it important for you to keep communication open with your child and talk to them about any questions that they have. Try to not blow them off when they ask certain questions about others that they have. For instance if they ask why someone with an accent talks funny explain to them that they speak another language because that is what their mommy and daddy taught them so they speak English different.
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Teaching your children how to deal with prejudice
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