My blog Combatting Stereotypes in Children: Part One discussed how children’s racial attitudes are largely formed by age nine. This blog largely focused on providing young children with an environment celebrating diversity via multiracial dolls, posters, food and clothing, music, etc. Combatting Stereotypes in Children: Part Two shared books and films that can help children in preschool, elementary school or secondary school appreciate the experiences of immigrants and people of different races.
This blog will present some ideas for activities to help a group of young children—whether a preschool or kindergarten class, a homeschool group, a group of adoptive families, a playgroup, or attendees at a school family night–look at different characteristics in a positive way.
–Have different colors of nylon stockings. Have the children put an arm inside a stocking leg. Ask if anyone has a stocking that matches his or her skin. Try to find one that does. You can ask parents to, if they are willing, provide a lock of their child’s hair. You can mount these on cards and try to match them to the child they came from. Point out differences in shade, coarse or fine texture, curl etc. Ask parents to send in music listened to at home, and a saying or proverb used in their family or culture.
— Talk positively about each child’s physical characteristics and cultural heritage. And, help children learn the differences between feelings of superiority and those of self-esteem and pride in their own heritage.
— Provide opportunities for children to interact with other children who are racially/culturally different from themselves and with people who have various disabilities.
–Respectfully listen to and answer children’s questions about themselves and others. Don’t ignore the question, change the subject, or in any way make the child think she is bad for asking such a question.
For questions specific to cross-cultural adoption, one of the best books I’ve found for teachers, parents and relatives wondering how to answer other children’s questions is Cross-Cultural Adoption: Answering Questions from Family, Friends and Community. This book has sample responses to questions children often have.