The Best Way To Introduce Your Children To Diversity Is Through Toys!

by Diversity in Toys Diversity in Toys

The concept of diversity can take several forms and is incorporated into multiple aspects of our life. From culture, gender, and religion to family structures and physical abilities, all of us are brought into this world with many differences.

For years, people believed that kids would naturally develop a positive outlook about our differences, even when we don't speak of them. However, research has shown that exposing and advocating diversity to kids at a young age is one of the best ways to improve their outlook on the world.

Importance Of Speaking To Your Kids About Diversity

Kids understand and start noticing the world around them from a very young age. When you expose them to the real world, it's natural for them to question why some people look so different from themselves. These valid and essential questions require parents to foster this understanding using various strategies.

Like any learning in early childhood, kids often feel the urge to pretend-play, explore, and discuss questions like 'Why does she look so different than me?' Or, 'Why is his skin color darker than mine?' Amongst many others. To honestly acknowledge and understand diversity, you must always start by helping them explore their own identity, enough to the point where they develop self-awareness and self-love.

Hence you must use every tool and opportunity to help them recognize their culture, identity, background, and other factors that help make them who they are! One fantastic way you can do this is by introducing your children to ethnic dolls at an early age.

Try Filling Up Your Home With Diverse Resources!

Now that you have understood why it's essential for you to introduce diversity to your kids, let's look at the best way you can do this. After assessing your home's environment, we suggest you improve the overall diversity levels in the resources, toys, and media your children are exposed to!

Begin by giving them diversity toys and dolls that allow them to explore different identities and perspectives. Find diverse books and novels with all sorts of families and kids portrayed and keep them around your house. You can also use magazines and pictures as decorations that also reflect diversity. When getting diversity toys that reflect your child's identity, ensure you also get toys that help provide them with an insight into the identity of others around them!

Take It Easy

As parents, you must make a conscious effort to help your children productively explore playtime. However, this does not mean the process has to be stressful. All parents should learn how to enjoy learning alongside their kids. Your children should feel honored and dignified during the process of learning diversity. They should feel empowered and understand that seeing people of different colors is okay!

By helping your children acknowledge our differences, you can quickly help them embrace their similarities! Go online and look for toys representing different cultures and ethnic backgrounds, and start working on the process today!