Expose Your Child to a World of Diversity
As you explore diversity together, it's important for your child to meet and build relationships with people who are different from you. In some neighborhoods, it might be as simple as saying hello to the family down the street. In other neighborhoods, you might have to be more creative to find diversity.
Use community resources such as libraries, museums, and playgrounds to find settings that may be more diverse than the one in which you live. Building relationships with coworkers, or with the families of children who attend school with your child can be another way to increase the diversity in your lives.
Consider inviting a wide variety of children into your house to play with your child. These might include children of various races, religions, ethnicities, and abilities, and some who speak different languages. Be sure that your child knows that you want her to play with all different kinds of children.
Choosing Toys and Books That Reflect the World
Look at the books you read with your child and the toys your child plays with to make sure they include a variety of people. Here are some questions to ask yourself about your child's toys and books:
- Does my child have toys and books with illustrations that represent people with a variety of backgrounds?
- Does my child have toys and books with characters that break stereotypes about men and women, for example, dolls for boys and building toys and puzzles for girls?
- Does my child have paper, paint, and other art materials in a range of skin, eye, and hair colors?
- Does my child have stories that offer children a variety of ideas to think about, question, and consider?
