Why Talking to Our Children about Diversity & Inclusion is Important, Yet Hard

If you are a parent, educator, or caregiver interested in diversity and inclusion, yet unsure of where to start, or how to have conversations with children about it, you are not alone.

As we begin 2020, many industries are taking an active role in the pursuit of becoming more inclusive. It is an arduous undertaking to re-lay the foundations of our past and dispel the biases that we have grown to believe as adults. And, while we attend workshops, make ourselves vulnerable to new experiences to allow growth and a better understanding, our biggest lessons are being taught to us by our children, and their experiences, as they interact with the world.

Let’s start with the facts…

Studies show that children as young as three years old have awareness of differences and similarities between people. As parents of these children, it is our responsibility to teach them the importance of acceptance and inclusion, by having these conversations, modeling inclusive behaviors and guiding them to be accepting of others and their differences.

What has held us back in the past is lack of understanding on the subject matter. These conversations are difficult, personal or private to us. In a recent talk, I heard a parent utter “who knew inclusion would be as difficult as having the sex education talk?” Many of us feel uncomfortable even addressing certain issues and hold the belief that it’s better to let sleeping dogs lie. In addition, we do not have the experiences that would bring another’s challenges into our focus.

There just are not many resources available to help parents identify what they need to speak to their children about and how to have those conversations. Furthermore, when a child is inquisitive about something or someone that they do not understand, it is natural for them to ask a parent. When the child is answered with “We don’t talk about that”, “Don’t say that”, or is shushed; the child is left to draw conclusions on their own. In some cases, they are forced to rely on their peers for information, or even worse, television, movies or social media to give them a misguided representation of the world around them.

The journey starts here…

Diversity and inclusion can be a difficult conversation to have with your children, but it does not have to be. That is why I am partnering with my friend and fellow diversity and inclusion practioner, Simone Morris, on a new podcast – Inclusion School.

The Inclusion School is a brave place for parents, caregivers, and educators interested in diversity and inclusion, yet unsure of where to start.

We built Inclusion School to provide tools and resources to start this important dialogue. This weekly show brings together inclusion experts, authors, and educators alike to share ideas and tools to help you have an impactful conversation with kids on diversity and inclusion.  As parents to young children, Simone and I have a shared passion for educating parents, educators, and caregivers on how to successfully navigate this inclusive journey.

How do we bridge the gap?