Making Time for Tolerance

Posted on December 10, 2009 by JumpStart

-From the Desk of Heather Tuttle, Curriculum Writer-

Christmas lights, Hanukkah menorahs, the Kwanzaa Kinara…the holidays are full of symbols that represent a variety of cultures, beliefs, and traditions, making this the most wonderful time of year to help your little ones notice that not everyone celebrates the season the same way they do.

Oftentimes limited experiences and infrequent interactions with backgrounds different from their own lead kids to make assumptions or judge others who do things differently than they’re used to. You can make the season even brighter by helping your kids realize that our society is a mixture of people- no two the same. All of these differences bring new ideas, energy, and flavor, enriching the world we live in.

Many kids are way ahead of us when it comes to acknowledging and respecting differences. Playgrounds, play groups, and classrooms are increasingly diverse, and we as a society have become more aware of tolerating and embracing a variety of cultures, traditions, and beliefs.

Still, as parents, it’s our job to ensure our kids are prepared to live, learn, and work in a diverse world. Teaching tolerance is important not just because it is the principle our country was founded on, but because the child who learns to be open to differences will have more opportunities in life.

Like all attitudes, tolerance is often taught in subtle ways when we don’t even realize it. Even before they can speak, our kids watch us closely and imitate what they see. Modeling tolerance, respect, and acceptance early on can help set your child up to positively embrace differences. There are a variety of other things you can do at home to help your kids realize that being unique and different is good.

Encourage your kids to ask questions – Kids are naturally curious about the world around them. Instead of letting them reach their own conclusions or assume things, make sure your kids ask questions when they wonder about things. Many times a simple question can spark valuable conversation and learning for both you and your little questioners.
Answer questions – When your kids come to you questioning their own traditions or the values and beliefs of others, take the time to listen. Spend time learning, researching, and exploring other cultures together. Attend festivals and events around town to expose your family to new celebrations and practices.
Respect and honesty – Model respect and acceptance for your kids. Teach your kids to appreciate their own differences and those of others. Be sure the words you use are not offensive and do not convey judgment. Help your kids realize that every person deserves to be judged as an individual, not grouped in a category that’s based on religious beliefs, skin color, or cultural differences.
Learn together about other cultures and traditions that are different from your own. Honor your own family and teach your children to be proud of their traditions. Discuss how your family traditions began and what they mean to you and your ancestors.
Make sure your kids have a positive self image and strong self-esteem. Confidence and self-respect lead to respecting others. Also, a strong sense of self will help your kids be proud of who they are and where they come from, so they can help share their culture and experiences with others.
Give your kids opportunities to play and interact with others who are different from them.
Help your kids understand that images and dialogue they see and hear in the media are often biased and do not represent an entire group of people.

Of course, celebrating differences of others doesn’t mean giving up your own heritage. Your family may have its own long-standing cultural and religious traditions that are something to be proud of. You can find ways to celebrate differences of others while continuing to honor and pass down your own cultural heritage and traditions. May this holiday season be a joyous celebration of the diversity around you.