Teaching tolerance to young children
I feel that our society is becoming less and less tolerant of differences in people. What the difference is is irrelevant, be it religion, color, creed, disability, gender or whatever. Every human being is capable of showing respect for the other and their lives.
In order to stop this downward trend, we need to look at the next generation and the next and so on. Teaching tolerance to very young children would be a step in the right direction, but how? Ideally it would continue on throughout their schooldays, even from kindergarten onwards.
I'd like to hear ideas on what angles this could be tackled from. How could you encourage the development of a tolerant attitude in a young child today to help them and future generations live in a better world tomorrow?
Thanks!
* One of the ways to accomplish teaching tolerance, respect, is by being an example, and talking to your children when you see things happening around you, as in my experience that I described above. If you see intolerance, don't just remain silent. Be an example. And spend some time talking to your kids about the situation so that they understand what real tolerance and respect is.
* Things happen, weekly if not daily, that can be good times to simply talk with your children. And in the process of talking, you can share a story or two. Slide the lesson in there somewhere. Old-fashioned stories with a moral at the end can be very helpful tools.
* A really good method is to ask your child to put themselves in the other person's shoes for a little while and see what they think it would feel like to be that other person. This works very well, because the child inevitably realizes that they would want to be treated nicely.
* Be honest and fair in everything you do, and let your kids see this example. They will learn and grow by watching you in action.
The only way to teach kids these kind of openmindedness is, in my opinion, through constant example.