Marta Schmidt-Mendez Ma

Families...Sometimes Marta Schmidt-Mendez Ma

Families come in all shapes, sizes, and configurations. It is important for us to let children feel great about the uniqueness of their own family and also to teach them to be accepting and respectful of those they may experience as "different." As our world becomes more and more diverse, there has never been a better, or a more important time, for us to learn to live together and to teach children about diversity and acceptance. As children become aware of family structures that may be different than their own, they may ask questions. They might ask, "Why does Jimmy have two mommies?" or "Can someone have two daddies?" Young children are concrete thinkers and they are not looking for a philosophical response. They don't need a full discussion on sexual orientation. Typically when a young child asks a question, he is looking for a simple "yes" or "no" response. Children's awareness of family, whether their own or someone else's, is a perfect opportunity to teach them about celebrating family, accepting diversity and having open discussions. Children will thrive and learn when they come to understand that not only are all families different but that all families have something in common. It's love and support that makes a family a family. Families... Sometimes was written to help parents and caregivers talk to their children about diversity and acceptance. Using a book is a good way to help start a conversation or to help you continue one your child may have already started. Since young children form ideas about themselves and others in the early school years, it is important to begin to teach tolerance and anti-bias lessons early. Ultimately, we want to raise children who appreciate, rather than fear differences.