Helping Kids Break Stereotypes

Research has shown that children as young as 3 or 4 understand ideas about race and ethnicity. Just because a child expresses a generalized idea about a particular group, however, it does not mean that a child is expressing a stereotype. He is likely just trying to process what he sees in the context of his limited experience with people who look different than he does. As a parent, you can help your child understand his own stereotypes about people as he gets older, and then help him to challenge them.

  1. Making Contact

    • In a 2008 "Christian Science Monitor" article, first-grade teacher Maggie Doben said children as young as 6 years old have stereotypes about other people. However, these stereotypes can be reversed if they have the opportunity to talk to people they have the stereotypes about. Encourage your child to volunteer at a home for older people, to help a student with a disability at school, or to be friends with someone who looks or acts differently than she and friends do. Challenging stereotypes through first-hand contact with others is a powerful way to combat misconceptions.

    Build Knowledge

    • Read a book with your child about someone he has a stereotype about. This can help open up your child to understanding how those people feel and think. Some helpful books are ̶0;Ira Sleeps Over,̶1; by Benard Waber; ̶0;Little Granny Quarterback,̶1; by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson; and ̶0;Mama and Me and the Model T,̶1; by Faye Gibbons. You can also watch documentaries and movies about stereotypes with your child such as ̶0;Labeled Disabled,̶1; by Maggie Doben, or ̶0;Keeping the Faith̶1; with actors Edward Norton and Ben Stiller.

    Find Commonalities

    • Ask your child to make a list with you of the things she has in common with a group about which she has a stereotype. If your child is too young to write, have a discussion about the elements that are the same between her and the group. Focusing your child̵7;s attention on what is the same between them can help her have a positive attitude and to concentrate on similarities instead of differences. Also, have her make a list of differences or talk about them. Tell your child that the differences between people are what make them special and that differences are to be valued.

    Challenge Media

    • Help your child to identify media that perpetuates stereotypes. Discuss whether your child thinks the advertisements, programs, movies, books, magazines, websites and other forms of media are portraying the truth about the group depicted. When you hear reports on brain research between genders, for example, ask your child whether the labels about behavior or aptitudes are true in her experience.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Good Reasons Why a Child Should Have a Phone
      If your child is like many kids today, they are technology crazed with cell phones being at the top of their must have list. They may have their own reasons why they feel having one is necessary, such as, all my other friends at school have one. Ther
    • How to Determine the Paternity of Your Child
      If you have any doubt about who the father of your baby is, you should get to the bottom of this issue as soon as you can. An official paternity DNA test is needed for accurate results. Establishing your baby’s paternity not only helps fill out
    • How to Write an Anniversary Speech for Your Parents
      You may choose to throw your parents an anniversary party when they hit one of the anniversary milestones. Planning the party is the easy part. It is coming up with an anniversary speech that speaks to the heart that is difficult. You may have many w