# data[].attributes.body
Read the book online here.

# data[].attributes.body
Check this article here. Image Source.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Have you ever tried to lead by example with your kids and totally failed?

I sure have!

While on vacation recently, we attended a breakfast to meet an esteemed colleague of my husband's. They have an adult daughter with significant disabilities. After speaking with the mom for a while, I called my 5 year old daughter over to say hi.

But the minute she saw this woman in the wheelchair, she hid behind my legs. I tried to pry her fingers from me and make her say hello but she refused.

You could see the fear in her eyes. And I was mortified.

Editor's Note: To move beyond your disappointment and continue to be an awesome parent, click here for our FREE mini-course How to Be a Positive Parent.

Here her father and I have devoted our lives to loving people with special needs and their families. To encouraging their parents and siblings. To spreading awareness about their abilities versus their disabilities.
And my own daughter was scared.
All she saw were the differences. The wheelchair. The drooling. The erratic movements.

I thought I was a decent role model and was leading my daughter by example. That she had watched me interact with all the students with special needs at my job and the way we accept and love all the kids with special needs at my husband's work. I thought that our strong example would set the tone for her own response when it came to interacting with people with special needs.

Isn't that what we are supposed to do as parents? Lead by example?
Maybe. But sometimes just being a role model is not enough.
Sometimes it's the conversations that make the difference. That drives home the point. That allows the other person to ask questions, to explore their own doubts and fears and judgments. To bring to light topics that might otherwise remain hidden.

Thankfully, there are practical ways we can teach our children how to be more open-minded and choose to be inclusive. Here are 4 that have worked for me -

1. Acknowledge the Curiosity, Don't Ignore It!

Last week in the preschool parking lot, my 3 year old asked LOUDLY, "Why is that girl in a wheelchair, Mama?"

She is always asking questions (a little too loudly) about people that she deems as different from herself.
Why can't he walk? Why does she look like that? Why does he talk like that?
Kids are naturally curious and naturally unfiltered. Sometimes that can lead to embarrassing situations but our job as parents is to choose the teachable moment over escaping the situation.

As Dr. Greene, pediatrician and renowned writer, says, when a child asks 'why', what he is really saying is "This is interesting to me. Let's talk about this together. Tell me more, please."

The child is actually looking for connection more than a specific answer. What's important here, Dr. Greene goes on to say, is that we don't have to feel the pressure to answer every 'why' - which is good because often we don't know it!

We don't know why the sky is blue, or why she was born with no arms, or why gravity exists. But since the child is looking for connection, we can engage in the conversation.

In the case of my daughter asking about the wheelchair, I could have told her not to stare. Or that asking those questions was impolite.

But that would have sent a message to not look at people different from us. A message that there was something shameful about being different.

So when she asked why the little girl was in a wheelchair, I answered, "I don't know but look how cute her pink shoes are! They look just like yours."

In this way, I was able to engage her curiosity while guiding her past the differences towards something they have in common which is the next step.

2. Find the Commonalities

In order to teach our kids how to be more open-minded, we need to take it a step beyond simply embracing differences and towards helping our kids learn to find commonalities.

We all have things in common with each other and when we help them learn how to find those, we are one step closer to raising inclusive children. This means looking past the differences (a diagnosis, a wheelchair, a skin color, a birthmark) and seeing the person.

The National Down Syndrome Congress has a campaign called, More Alike Than Different which is an effective method to helping our children see commonalities rather than focus on differences.

By helping our children learn and choose to see the things that we have in common with people, the results are connection rather than division.

Recently one of my daughter's friends began to cry when she saw a woman with Cerebral palsy. I asked her why she was crying and she said she was scared.

Just as I was about to give her all the reasons why she shouldn't be scared, I decided instead to share about the things they have in common.

When asked why the woman couldn't talk, I explained that she uses an ipad just like yours for her voice and isn't that so cool?

When asked why she couldn't walk, I showed her that she uses wheels as her legs and I bet she's super-fast!

The neighbor girl immediately perked up and said "I have an ipad! And I'm super-fast too!"

By choosing to focus on similarities, things we have in common, the differences become less pronounced.

3. Engage and Connect with Diversity

This is where practicing what we preach comes into play. We are talking to our children about differences at home but out in the real world, we also want to be engaging with diversity and showing our children that it's not scary.

Christopher Metzler, Ph.D., an authority on issues of diversity and inclusion, says that, "For all the talk about diversity, Americans still segregate ourselves into fairly homogenous communities. Teaching our children to accept differences may require that we use the power of the Internet to learn about differences, that we seek out cultural activities that are out of our community and explore the strength and value in diversity."

In order to experience the connection with people different from ourselves, we have to engage with them.

When my daughter asked about the girl in the wheelchair, I went over to the little girl and we began talking about her pink shoes. From there, I was able to start a conversation about how old she is, where she goes to school etc. It was a perfect opportunity to model for my daughter the value of connection.

Instead of moving away from a situation where you have an opportunity to engage with diversity, choose to stay in it.

Dr. Metzler also reminds us that our goal is "...not to be 'difference-blind.' This is both unrealistic and misses the point. As parents, we must help kids appreciate and learn about those differences, not pretend that they do not exist."

4. Teach Empathy

Empathy is a quality -along with compassion - that we all want to develop in our children. It is a key step to raising children to be open-minded.

Richard Weissbourd, a Harvard psychologist with the graduate school of education, who runs the Making Caring Common project, says that often we quantify empathy rather than expand its' reach.

In other words, we often measure how much empathy our children have which perhaps is the wrong focus.

Dr. Weissbourd explains, "The key is who they have empathy for. For most of us, it's not hard to have empathy for our family members and close friends. But the real issue is whether children (and adults) have empathy outside that circle. As parents and caretakers, it's not only important that we model appreciation for many types of people. It's important that we guide children in understanding and caring for many kinds of people who are different from them and who may be facing challenges very different from their own challenges."

We can do this by engaging our children in various conversations about how others might be feeling in various situations.

When someone is hurt, or bullied, or has a diagnosis or a disability - these are all opportunities to develop empathy in our children.

Circling Back to Leading By Example...

As parents, we're not off the hook yet. We still have to be the role model for our children. They are always watching! How can we model what true acceptance looks like?
Our goal here isn't to show tolerance - it's to model acceptance.
How can we be sure we are authentically leading by example?

1. Review our own attitudes

The truth is, we all have our own ingrained ideas, stereotypes, judgements and misconceptions about others.

If we want to lead by example, we need to first see what preconceived notions we are bringing to the table - and identify which ones need to change.

What racism is carried over from generation to generation in our families? How do I approach people with special needs, or from different cultures or races? Do I let the differences stop me from developing relationships or engaging them in conversation? How can I change that?

2. Be willing to have conversations

A conversation is the step that bridges the gap between ourselves and others - often by dispelling or rendering ineffective an outdated stereotype or judgement. Creating a safe atmosphere allowing for open conversations will help create open-minded children.

3. Use positive and diverse representations through books and other mediums

"Children's literature can be a powerful medium through which we can explore a non-tragedy understanding of disability and move forward with embracing diversity and living life together," says Dr. Cologon, professor at the Institute of Early Childhood in Australia. "Finding engaging stories with well-rounded characters that experience disability is therefore a great way of normalising difference for children."

There are many resources/books that can be used by families to spark the conversations about inclusion, various types of disabilities, or differences in general. It's important for our children to see characters that look, talk, and act different than themselves.

This is becoming more common in various television and other mediums with the most recent being the popular show, Sesame Street, which has a new initiative called Being a Friend | Sesame Street and Autism where they are introducing a new character with Autism. Part of this initiative includes ways to include this new friend, and an entire campaign called Keep Amazing Going.

In conclusion, leading by example is important, required even, in order to parent well. But engaging in conversations - especially those awkward ones - are vital to raising inclusive and open-minded children.

Many of these tips are based on including individuals with special needs but they translate to any and all differences.

The important thing to remember is that underneath the skin color, the disability, the cultural differences etc. is a person who, based on that alone, is worthy of being included.

The 2-Minute Action Plan for Fine Parents

Consider the example you lead for your children when it comes to inclusion. Is there anything you want to change about it?

When is the last time you listened to that voice inside you telling you to do something? Did you listen to it?

Are there times you have seen your kids listen to their internal voice of compassion? Did you acknowledge it openly?

The Ongoing Action Plan for Fine Parents

Check out an age appropriate book from the library about differences and spend some time talking to your children about it.

Think about some of the stereotypes or fears you may have around people that are different from you. Where did they originate? What truths can you replace those stereotypes with?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
4 Simple Ways (Beyond Being a Role Model) for Teaching Kids How to be More Open-Minded - A Fine Parent

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Have you ever tried to lead by example with your kids and totally failed? I sure have! While on vacation recently, we attended a breakfast to meet an esteemed colleague of my husband's. They have an adult daughter with significant disabilities.

# data[].attributes.headline
When Do I Say I Am an Open-minded Person?

# data[].attributes.subject
When Do I Say I Am an Open-minded Person?

# data[].attributes.body
I would say that when I would be "willing to consider ideas and opinions that are new or different to your own" (Open-Minded, 2024).

Image source.

# data[].attributes.headline
Universities React to the IB Learner Profile: Principled, Open-minded, and Caring

# data[].attributes.subject
Universities React to the IB Learner Profile: Principled, Open-minded, and Caring

# data[].attributes.body
Watch this video here.

# data[].attributes.body
"We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life. We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions. listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups. We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences. We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience" (IB Learner, 2013).

Image source.

# data[].attributes.body
According to IB, open-minded learners are those who "understand and appreciate cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. Accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, IB learners develop and grow from this experience" ("Open-mindedness as a Part," 2024). Image source.

# data[].attributes.headline
أنا أقدر الأحترام/ سلسلة الأخلاق الحميده

# data[].attributes.subject
أنا أقدر الأحترام/ سلسلة الأخلاق الحميده

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.headline
Al Emam Mohamed Abdou الأمام محمد عبده/ Afkar Ghayaret Al Alam/ Book 7/

# data[].attributes.subject
Al Emam Mohamed Abdou الأمام محمد عبده/ Afkar Ghayaret Al Alam/ Book 7/

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Amber Spyglass/The Dark Materials Trilogy / Part 3/

# data[].attributes.subject
The Amber Spyglass/The Dark Materials Trilogy / Part 3/

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the books.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you're a fan of classic soul music, the word "" might automatically bring to mind Aretha Franklin belting out "R-E-S-P-E-C-T...find out what it means to me!" But what exactly is ? How can you show it? And how do you earn it?

often means different things to different people. There are several that many people can agree on, though. For example, at its most basic level, means being kind and considerate to others.

can take many forms. Don't make fun of others. Put yourself in other people's shoes and think about how they feel. Observe the Golden Rule: treat others the same way you'd want to be treated.

is important because it sets the proper stage for all our human interactions . Friendship, love, and even basic communication must all start with .

Everyone wants to be respected. To earn and deserve , though, you must also show to others. It's always a two-way street. You can't be disrespectful to others and expect in return.

It's easy to show . Be . Look for the best in people rather than concentrating on their faults. Show compassion to others and seek to put their interests before your own. Make others comfortable when they're uneasy. Help out whenever you can. When you pay it forward, amazing things can happen.

And be respectful to everyone. The world is an unbelievably huge place filled with billions of people, each one of which is and special. And they all deserve your !

Be warned, though. Not everyone will show you all the time. In fact, you'll probably see examples of disrespectful behavior each and every day. How you respond to disrespectful behavior, though, can make a huge difference.

If you choose to respond to disrespectful behavior by acting disrespectfully yourself, you've gained nothing. You've only continued the pattern of disrespectful behavior and set a bad example. Instead, act respectfully and set a good example. Consistently acting respectfully might just help others learn from your example!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you're a fan of classic soul music, the word "" might automatically bring to mind Aretha Franklin belting out "R-E-S-P-E-C-T...find out what it means to me!" But what exactly is ? How can you show it? And how do you earn it? often means different things to different people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's easier to agree than disagree. But we can learn a lot from conversations where we don't see eye to eye - if we can listen and talk rationally, that is.

Unfortunately, many us either shy away completely from disagreements or lose it when things don't go our way. These 5 tips can help keep disagreements constructive - whether you're talking to a parent, friend, or anyone else:

1. Don't make it personal. If you get upset, it can help to remember you're mad at the idea or concept your parent (or friend, coach, coworker, etc.) is raising, not the person.

2. Avoid putting down the other person's ideas and beliefs. If you've ever been on the receiving end of someone's tirade or put-downs, you know how valuable using respectful language and behavior can be. So instead of saying what you might be thinking ("That's a stupid idea!"), try: "I don't agree, and here's why." Resist the temptation to yell, use sarcasm, or make derogatory comments and you'll have a much better chance of getting your point across.

3. Use "I" statements to communicate how you feel, what you think, and what you want or need. Using "you" statements can sound argumentative. For example, telling your mom or dad, "You always remind me about my chores on Wednesdays when you know I have a lot of homework" has a very different tone from "I'm feeling pressured because I have a lot of homework tonight. Can I do those chores tomorrow?"

4. Listen to the other point of view. Being a good listener is a way of showing that you respect and understand the other person's perspective. That makes it more likely he or she will do the same for you. When the other person is talking, try to stop yourself from thinking about why you disagree or what you'll say next. Instead, focus on what's being said. When it's your turn to talk, repeat any key points the other person made to show you listened and heard what was said. Then calmly present your case and why you disagree.

5. Stay calm. This is the most important thing you can do to keep a conversation on track. Of course, it's a huge challenge to stay calm and rational when you feel angry or passionate about something - especially if the person you're talking to gets heated. You may need to be the mature one who manages the conversation, even if the other person is a parent or someone who should know better.

Respect goes beyond difficult conversations, of course. Being helpful and considerate toward family members, teachers, or coaches in our everyday actions helps all of us (again, parents included!) establish a foundation for those times when we might disagree.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These 5 tips can help you disagree with someone in a constructive way - without losing it or shying away from how you feel.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BBC NEWS | UK | Culture of respect: Family viewpoints

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As the government plans a national tour to promote its Respect Agenda, published last month, four UK families from different cultural backgrounds give their views on respect in modern Britain.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Understanding and inclusion start with you. TFK talked with CARYL M. STERN, president and CEO of UNICEF U.S.A. and coauthor of a book called Hate Hurts. Here's her advice on how to handle hurtful comments and find common ground.

JESSIE ENGLISH FOR UNICEF USA

Be a part of creating the world you want.

That means thinking and planning ahead. Do not wait until hate happens to talk about hate.

There's no time limit for responding to a hurtful comment.

You don't have to respond right in the moment. Sometimes, you are so angry or hurt or shocked that you can't respond. Or sometimes, it would be such a public response that you would humiliate the offender. That might not be the best way to get them to hear what you have to say. Make a plan as to when you are going to respond, and follow through with it.

Open the ears of the listener.

Start by pointing out why you're bothered and how you feel. Make sure the person knows that they matter enough for you to talk to them.

Use I statements, not you statements.

Explain to the offender that you are not talking about what they said. Explain that you are talking about how what they said made you feel. You are not trying to get them to defend what they said. You are trying to explain to them why it was hurtful. You can't necessarily change a person in one conversation. And you can't ask someone to change who they are. But you can ask them to change the way they act around you.

Learn how to ask questions.

I consider there to be two basic diversity skills. One is how to ask questions, the second is how to give answers. You want to be able to ask about things you don't understand, but you need to know how to ask in the right way. Part of that comes from learning how to give answers and finding the right vocabulary.

Learn about cultures you know nothing about.

As a class project, look at what's happening in your community to find out what's different from what you normally do. What festivals, concerts, or plays are happening? How many different houses of worship are there? See if each of you can get the adults in your life to take you to one of them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Understanding and inclusion start with you. TFK talked with CARYL M. STERN, president and CEO of UNICEF U.S.A. and coauthor of a book called Hate Hurts. Here's her advice on how to handle hurtful comments and find common ground. Be...

# data[].attributes.headline
Cultural Diversity : Conflicts and Challenges : The Ultimate Teen Guide

# data[].attributes.subject
Cultural Diversity : Conflicts and Challenges : The Ultimate Teen Guide

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.headline
Respecting our Differences / A Guide to Getting Along in a Changing World/

# data[].attributes.subject
Respecting our Differences / A Guide to Getting Along in a Changing World/

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.headline
Communicating with Others / Job Skills Series/

# data[].attributes.subject
Communicating with Others / Job Skills Series/

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.headline
Brother eagle, sister sky : a message from Chief Seattle

# data[].attributes.subject
Brother eagle, sister sky : a message from Chief Seattle

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.headline
The King of Attolia/ The Queen's Thief Series/ Book 3

# data[].attributes.subject
The King of Attolia/ The Queen's Thief Series/ Book 3

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Prophet of Yonwood : The Ember Series : Book 3 : By the New York Times Bestselling Author :

# data[].attributes.subject
The Prophet of Yonwood : The Ember Series : Book 3 : By the New York Times Bestselling Author :

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Capybara Conspiracy / A Novel in Three Acts/

# data[].attributes.subject
The Capybara Conspiracy / A Novel in Three Acts/

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.