How to Explain Different Races to a Child

As your child gets older watch for comments with a more negative tone. By age 3 children can form judgments about people based on racial differences.

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Its common for children this age to assign positive traits to people of their own ethnic group and negative traits to people who look different says Dr.

. While it is not something that is not natural it may intrigue strangers who may ask your child about their ethnicity. And by 5 years a. Start talking about what racial differences mean and dont mean.

This is when their natural curiosity about differences in appearance and cultural backgrounds really begins to come into play. Take your childs comments and questions seriously Parents should be very careful about passing on their own biases and prejudices before kids even understand the concept of racism says Shimi Kang a psychiatrist and medical director of child and youth mental health for. The following is a discussion on adopting a child from a different culture race or ethnicity.

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox. Why the Race Conversation Is So Important. Take time as a family to look up popular dishes from around the world.

This exquisite little book by childrens lit newcomer Danielle Daniel a Métis writer and artist introduces kids to the Anishinaabe tradition of totem animals. Try Different Dishes From Around The World. Teach your child to accept their mixed features.

In fact experts at Yale University have found that by 6 months of age infants can notice differences in skin color and hair textures. Expose your child to different cultural. In the United States couples often adopt children with racial ethnic and cultural backgrounds that are vastly different than their own.

The adopted children may be African American Latino or Asian or. With this kind of communication I believe both of you to paraphrase Dr. Children who are grade-school age are.

Hair skin eyes preschoolers are noticing all these distinctions and beginning to describe. And help your child to empathize by putting him in the shoes of his classmate. They are amazing at noticing differences in hair skin shapes colors abilities etc.

By 2 years old children can point out differences in skin color. Its never too early to start to have conversations about race with your kids. Simply reach out to folks in your town or maybe one of your childs friends comes from a different country and have a pot luck.

From race to religion to abilities and more. The worst conversation adults can have with kids about race is no conversation at all says author Jemar Tisby. Most biracial children inherit some features from one parent and the rest from the other which means they have a mix of both.

In this book the author celebrates all types of families in a funny reassuring manner. Racial and cultural diversity is an excellent topic to teach grade-school-age children. Stick to the facts.

In the book Sofia who has a fridge at home full of food learns that her friend Maddi has a fridge thats empty and struggles with whether she should tell her parents. Suggested target word s. If her skin color is different than yours point out that her nose or her smile is similar and that you both like to read and play cards.

When preschoolers ask questions about differences in skin color keep your answers to the point. Here are just a few ways you can teach your children about different cultures. Kids notice from an early age that other kids are similar to or different than themin every single way.

Start off by saying Every family is different If your child is multiracial talk about how she looks a bit like both her parents and her grandparents. You can try chicken tikka masala from India mango sticky rice from. Instead ask your child why she thinks that and explain that darker skin isnt dirty.

Grade-schoolers are forming lots of opinions about themselves and the people around them. Discuss the variations within your own family or classroom. The understanding your child has about him or herself in regards to that identity will deepen.

This is a delicious way to introduce kids to new cultures. Jennys skin looks dirty Or I dont want to play with Noah because his skin is too white Use this as an opportunity to talk with your child about racism. Let your child know that its perfectly okay to notice skin color and talk about race.

He includes diverse family structures like adoptive families step-families single-parent families two-mom and two-dad families and families with both a mom and a dad. Groundwood Books 2015. Trying different dishes is a fun way to experience the world from your own home.

Totem animal First NationsAmerican Indian. ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD Encourage your child to ask questions share observations and experiences and be respectfully curious about race. If adults act anxious or awkward.

It is perfectly natural for children to notice and discuss race. Ages 4 to 6. Daniel explains in an Authors Note.

This beautifully illustrated book reminds children that we. If your child has questions about differences in physical characteristics or cultural practices discuss them openly. Genesis 12627 tells us that God made all of humanity in his image and as such every person has equal value and worth.

Martin Luther King will come to judge your daughters dates. How to talk about race with your child Talk about differences. 7 to 11 years old.

Adopting a Child From a Different Culture. As they begin to recognize differences emphasize that those things arent wrong just different. Although economic differences can be a bit more hidden than others Maddis Fridge doesnt shy away from the topic of poverty.

Focus on ways we are all alike. This is an important theological truth that I dearly want my son to know. Explain that differences lead to diversity and that diversity makes the world an interesting and special place.

Talking to kids about race needs to happen. Casually respond when children notice how people have different color skin and hair.

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