How to teach your kids about difference and disabilities

Even if it hasn’t happened yet, your child will eventually meet a person with a disability. They will probably have some questions and the way you answer them can affect the way they treat others, especially with disabilities, as they grow up. But how do we teach kids about inclusion and acceptance?

Answer their questions honestly

It’s easy to ignore your kid’s questions or even shush them – we know it can get tiring to have to answer every single question, especially when it happens dozens of times an hour! However, it’s essential to teach and guide your children so they can grow up doing the right thing. If your child has questions about a person being in a wheelchair, for example, it is important to explain why they might be in that position.

Same goes if your child is simply staring – don’t hesitate to take the lead and explain, if you can, why that person is in that situation.

Children are curious by nature and will want answers to anything that they don’t understand. Teach them how to recognise a disability, that petting a guide dog is not ok or that all disabilities are not visible. In summary, be the teacher; they won’t know unless YOU teach them.

Encourage friendships

As a parent, it’s also your responsibility to make sure your child opens their horizons and meets other kids. Why not arrange a play date with a classmate with a disability? Just make sure you get the lowdown on their needs from their parents or offer to arrange transportation with companies such as Allied Mobility for example. It’s a great way to teach your kids that children with a disability are like any other kid – they need friendship and playtime. If a playdate is too much, you could encourage your child to start small by holding the door open for someone in a wheelchair or just say hi. Teach empathy and kindness and most of all, to treat everyone in the exact same way.

Use the right tools

If your child loves reading, why not try introducing a picture book that discusses disabilities and inclusion? Easy to find, they are a great way to start a conversation. You could talk about autism, ADHD, visual impairment, etc. This helps your child identify disabilities and therefore how to react and answer accordingly. The more your child is exposed to disabilities, the less they will be scared or closed off.

To recap, it’s important to answer your children’s questions and fears as awareness help to end stigma. Do let us know if you have any experiences or advice to share.