The difference, whatever it is, can challenge our children. Often mockery subject, it is important to teach them this value from an early age. The Women’s Journal takes stock.
The difference manifests in several ways. Begament, ethnic diversity, facilities or learning difficulties, difference in character or not responding to gender stereotypes … Children perceive the difference by theirs. They question the fact that they are “not the same”. And it is this difference that can scare them at the beginning. The physical, what is visible, are the elements they notice first. Sex, color, disability are part of it. It is from 4-5 years that they become fully aware of these differences.
Our children therefore face the difference from an early age. It is important to let them confront these ideas, he must have his own reasoning and must build his own way of thinking. However, it is necessary to guide him on tolerance and respect by asking him questions and accompanying his reflection. We can also give him answers that will guide his learning. It is necessary to make him rub shoulders with people of all universes and to explain to him that he must not be afraid of it and that it is the difference that the world draws his richness. There is also a job to do on the stereotypes that he may already have assimilated and understand with him where these ideas come from.
Many movies, books and games can help us. Thus, the book Seven billion faces De Peter Spier (Écité École des Loisirs) compares a uniform world where everything would be identical to the richness of everyone’s difference. It is also fashionable to return to classic fables or tales like The villain little duckling who will be able to raise awareness. The film Khumba Stages a zebra, only half of the body has the peel characteristic of its race. Mocked, the young animal decides to find a solution to his problem and try to uniform by finding his scratches. From this initiatory journey flows a nice morality on how to learn to love your differences and respect those of others. A great way to educate them through entertainment. Soon, it is The great adventure of Maya the beein the cinema on February 4, 2015, who will teach children how important and laudable it is to be unique. She will also meet with colorful characters and will succeed in overcoming her fear of others by establishing a beautiful friendship with them.
Finally, there are many role -playing games that could also play this role. For example, we can make them wear a uniform mask for a few minutes and then ask them to paint it with their color, they will see that you feel better when you are unique for example. We must not be afraid to talk about differences with our child, or even less make a taboo subject. On the contrary, it is by putting words, by opening the dialogue and the debate that they can open, understand and respect the differences of each.
