A World of Diversity

6 Tips on Talking to Your Child About Race

By Sharen Hausmann

The world is filled with diversity, and different cultures, races and languages are a consistent part of a child's daily life. As the population of the United States continues to grow, it will become increasingly more ethnically and racially diverse. According to a recent USA Today article, our country will be comprised of 15 percent non-Hispanic Blacks, 8 percent Asians and 24 percent Hispanics by the year 2043.

As young children begin to learn about their surroundings, it is natural for them to be curious about those who have different physical characteristics. They may want to know why another person has a different skin color, facial features or hair texture.

Many parents feel awkward or uncomfortable when their child asks a question about racial differences, but it can be a great opportunity to teach him or her to value unique qualities in others and to lay a solid foundation for tolerance and understanding. Despite popular belief, racial tolerance is not about being colorblind, but about recognizing and respecting the differences in others.

When talking to your child about race, consider the following 6 suggestions:

Answer your child's questions about race in a simple and straightforward manner. Teach your child that differences are what make each person unique, but they don't make one person better or worse than another. You can also point out commonalities among different groups of people to help eliminate stereotypical views about other cultures.

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