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What is Diversity?
Diversity is a matter of biology. Every person that has ever lived has been different in some way from every other person. Family members are more likely to share common traits, but each has a uniqueness about them that is obvious. Too often we hear that we should “tolerate” differences. What we should do is to celebrate and embrace those differences that make us all special.
Intolerance, prejudice and bigotry are learned skills. The best way to make sure your child does not learn them is to never exhibit them yourself. Don’t label people. Avoid name-calling. Avoid words that stereotype, offend and demean others.
Everyone wants to feel good about themselves. Everyone wants to feel superior in some way. The best way to accomplish that is to work hard to earn some distinction that lets one rise above the masses. The easiest way to accomplish that is to let yourself think of another as “beneath” you. We need to take the first path.
Kinds of Diversity
People are of different sexes, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, nationalities and races. Some may have physical or mental handicaps that are noticeable. Some may speak differently. Some may walk differently. Some may dress differently. Yet, every person has something positive to contribute and share. It may be intelligence, athletic abilities, talent, kindness, caring, creativity or the ability to make another smile. Often people fear the unknown, so they do not make the effort to learn about different types of people. Instead, they form unjust opinions or tell unkind jokes about them.
This kind of discrimination is not only cruel to the object of one’s prejudice, but it also prevents the person who harbors such feelings and notions from becoming a better person.
Love Yourself
One of the best ways to teach your children to love and appreciate others is to teach them to love and appreciate themselves. A person with good self-esteem and confidence is not easily threatened by that unknown accent, dress or physical condition.
Talk about each family member’s strengths and weaknesses. Encourage your child’s natural sense of curiosity. Help them seek answers to questions. An open-minded, understanding child is much less likely to want to hurt another’s feelings. A child who is proud of his accomplishments and talents is much more likely to respect the accomplishments and talents of others.
Love Your Neighbor
Give your child a variety of experiences to meet, learn about and feel good about people with differences. Be aware of prejudicial messages that could come from television, song lyrics, movies and electronic games. Read about different cultures together. Explore an atlas and maps to see what other parts of the world are like. Taste the foods and listen to the music of other countries. Learn about the history of older generations. What did they see and learn in their lifetimes? How has the world changed? How did it shape them? How is the world shaping your child today?
The most important thing that a parent can do is to be the good role model. Let your child see how your interact positively with people who are different from you. Examine your own feelings about others and work with your family to overcome any negative feelings that you may have been taught and still harbor. When a parent teaches a value that he or she does not hold, the child will notice the hypocrisy.
When your family can explore differences in an atmosphere of openness, interest and sharing, everyone benefits. Your child will have more opportunities for growth and understanding. When a negative experience occurs, be ready to assist you child to process the event and work towards solutions without generalizing, stereotyping, or discriminating.
Realize that your child must gain three things for a successful life:
Skills to perform necessary tasks.
Knowledge of the world around them.
Character.
These tools will build a strong, positive, productive and accepting citizen.
Parenting Tips
Take your family to an ethnic restaurant to learn about foods from another country.
Accept your child’s friends.
Never use language around your children that offends or demeans another type of person.
Get your children to youth groups that have a variety of ethnic and racial children.
Celebrate differences of all kinds.
Study the history and geography of countries of origin of your child’s friends.
Check out audio-visuals in your local library that will teach your family a new language.
Be firmly against any teasing, name-calling or bullying.
Attend ethnic and folk celebrations in your community.
Let your child volunteer at a home for the elderly or a center for handicapped children.
Organize an “Each One Reach One” event to celebrate differences.
Volunteer your family to help serve meals at a mission or a shelter for the homeless.
Encourage your child to politely ask questions when he or she meets someone of a different race or nationality.
Teach your child not to stare or point at a person with an unusual characteristic.
Try to find out more about your own family history and share it with your child. Make a family tree together.
Teach your child that where a person is going is far more important than where he has been.

21st Century Community Learning Centers of Elmore County Public Schools
Eclectic Middle School Site Director: La’Tresia Robinson 170 South Ann Street Eclectic, AL 36024 334-541-2131
Holtville Middle School Site Director: Amy Stewart 655 Bulldog Lane Deatsville, AL 36022 334-569-1596
Millbrook Middle-Junior High School Site Director: Ayena Jackson 4228 Chapman Road Millbrook, AL 36054 334-285-2100
Wetumpka Middle School Site Director: Ewell Fuller 1000 Micanopy Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-567-1413
21 CCLC Project Office Project Administrator: Ms. Carol Kelly ECTC - 800 Kelly Fitzpatrick Drive PO Box 817 Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-399-4013
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to after school programs. An initiative of the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND act, the 21CCLC programs of Alabama are supervised and administered by the Federal Programs department of the Alabama State Department of Education.

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It’s Apparent!

Respecting
Diversity

Elmore County 21st Century Community Leaning Center Parenting Tips #07