Teaching Children About Diversity

Along with your child's growing list of activities comes a growing list of friends. Children seek a sense of belonging and acceptance from peers, and these friendships are a vital part of their development. Learning to develop diverse friendships is important for later in life, as these connections provide the roadmap for future relationships, teaching children to resolve conflict and get along with others. When children move beyond simply noticing the similarities and differences they share with others, they learn how such characteristics — and people's attitudes about them — have the power to make them and others feel included or excluded.  Read on for some practical suggestions for helping your child embrace diversity.

Title: Sneetches and Other Stories
By: Dr. Seuss
Ages: 5 and up
Why: Unlike many of the Dr. Seuss books you know, this children's book contains a number of short stories that weave a message of tolerance and teaches kids about diversity. Through the Sneetches, Zax and two other stories, the lesson that friendship is more important than differences is delivered through Dr. Seuss's lovable way -SheKnows.com

Engage your child in a conversation about differences and similarities. Consider any two things, places, or people, and come up with two ways they are the same and two ways they are different.