We humans are a social bunch, which has made this Covid-19 crisis even more difficult to work through. When we think of how best to raise inclusive kids, we surely are not talking about a time when hugs are discouraged, and “social distancing” is the norm.
But our kids learn from us, and the kindest thing we can teach them is the value of kindness, especially to those who might be “different.” Our country and the entire world will be dealing with the repercussions of this pandemic for a while. Take this time to encourage good behavior towards others in your kids.
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What makes a child “different”?
What makes a child stand out (in the negative sense) varies depending on the community. However, the usual culprits are that a child looks different, comes from an unfamiliar background, or has some form of disability. In a society with pre-set ideas as to what is “right,” the different kid is “wrong.”
We’ve all heard of social prejudices when groups are excluded because of their race, religion, country of origin, or some other category. It’s been happening for years and isn’t about to stop any time soon. So the best thing we can do to raise inclusive kids is not to teach them about these social prejudices.
What about schools?
Schools do a fabulous job of educating our children, but we are, and always have been, our children’s first teachers. There are other kids at school, some of whom will have different needs, and our kids have to learn to get along with them. If we teach our kids to treat others with kindness and empathy, this will help the “different” ones from feeling excluded.
Types of bullying
Studies have confirmed what kids probably already know, that there are three groups involved: the bully, the bullied, and the bystander. Sometimes the bullying is direct (violence, abuse), but more often it’s subtle, and exclusion is one of the chief tools used. If you’re one of those kids who are left out of popular events, or the parent of one, you know how tough it can be.
We tend to think of bullying as being physical, when the perpetrator injures or maims the victim. But physical violence is only part of bullying. Cruel names, nasty comments, and egging on others to do the same can be just as damaging.
The stats about cyberbullying are disturbing, with more than a third of young people