Helping Kids Make a Difference: 7 Ways to Help Your Child Get Along with Kids Who Are "Different
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Have you ever found yourself turning beet red in the middle
of a crowded store as your toddler points and says loudly,
"Mommy! Why does that girl look funny?"
Children start noticing differences in skin color,
gender, and physical ability at an early age. They begin to
connect certain attitudes and feelings with those differences
by seeing how adults react to them. Are you doing everything
you can do make sure your child develops compassion and respect
for diversity?
"Kids need to know its okay to be different," says
Gregory B. Watkins, author of "A Big Beaked, Big Bellied Bird
Named Bill" (Cute and Cuddly Productions, Inc., $13.95,
www.bigbillandbuddies.com). "They need to be reminded that we
are all made in God's image. And as my mom used to say, 'God
made you and God doesn't make junk'."
The father of four and the youngest of eight children,
Watkins is passionate about educating children on how to "stick
up for the little guy." In fact, he plans to donate 15 percent
of the profit from the sale of his book to Mustard Seed
Communities, a children's charity. A former Marine, construct
project manager and Architectural Interior Designer, Watkins'
book series is designed to help teach children about
individuality and acceptance. You can get his free report, "Top
10 Ways to Teach Tolerance" at www.bigbillandbuddies.com.
Here Watkins shares seven ways you can help your
children embrace those who dance to the beat of a different
drum:
1. Talk to your child. Open the lines of communication
and discuss what makes each of us unique.
2. Foster friendship. Encourage your child to get to
know the person they think is "different."
3. Open your home. Invite kids from backgrounds other
than your own to visit.
4. Read books. Choose books like "A Big Beaked Big
Bellied Bird Named Bill" that are written for kids and can
spark conversation about dealing with differences.
5. Explore cultures outside your own. Eat at an ethnic
restaurant, watch films or television shows to help your child
gain an understanding of other cultures.
6. Get involved. Participate in activities that expose
children to diverse groups of people.
7. Encourage your children to speak up when they see
someone, especially another child, being treated unfairly.
"Most importantly, you should model good behavior," says
Watkins. "If your children see you treating people differently
based on race, gender or socio-economic background, chances are
they will do the same."
Don't risk raising a child who is bound by bias.
Actively help them gain a greater understanding of differences
so they can expand their social circle and develop a
compassionate outlook on life.
Want to know more about how to make a difference in your
child's life? Get the FREE report "6 Steps to Turn that Bully
into Your Friend" or purchase your copy of "A Big Beaked, Big
Belly Bird Named Bill" at www.bigbillandbuddies.com.
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