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What is Diversity?
With Martin Luther King Jr Day here, consider introducing the idea of diversity and cultural differences to your children. It will be easy to start with this really great egg activity. A great visual demonstration is always tops in our book here at Kids Activities Blog.
What is Diversity
One of the beautiful things about our little ones is that color, cultural differences and even language usually don’t phase them. Notice that I used the word “phase” because kids are very observant so they do notice the differences. Let’s start teaching them when they are young that accepting and celebrating the differences is a way of life. This will not only have a lasting impression on their own life but impact the world as well.
When we first arrived to South America my son didn’t have a grasp of the Spanish language, the children were a bit smaller then his anglo body type (he gets that from his father) and he was a bit lighter than a lot of the kids. His Spanish was basic, he knew a few words here and there like “hola” or “adios” and maybe some numbers but that was it. When he started preschool I was nervous for him knowing that most of the children didn’t speak English and he didn’t speak Spanish. One day I went out to observe him and guess what. He was happily playing with the other boys and girls. They played in their own language but with each other and it wasn’t a problem. It was a beautiful picture of how we should play as adults.
When our kids begin to start noticing and sharing the differences pay close attention to how they are expressing themselves. Are they using hurtful words? Negatively? In awe? Discuss with them their observations. This would be a good time to share a very practical lesson on diversity.
We Are ALL the Same on the Inside Egg Activity
- 1 white egg
- 1 brown egg
Talk to your child about the two eggs. What is the main difference in these two eggs? Do you think the brown egg is brown on the inside or the white is white on the inside? Discuss.
Let’s find out. Crack the two eggs. Are they different on the inside? Nope, they pretty much are the same on the inside.
Depending on your child’s age and understanding you can explore this topic more in depth.
I shared with my children on how God created us different and that is what makes us unique with different hair type, body type, color, language, culture and interest. But the beautiful thing is we are all human with a heart that beats, with emotions of laughter, joy, sadness and love and this is what should hold us together not the color of our skin.
More Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities
Other practical ways to teach diversity:
- Discuss differences when you are out and about. When you see someone in a wheelchair, using sign, dressed in their cultural attire, blind….
- Eat at a restaurant from a different culture of your own.
- Attend cultural events.
- Read books that discuss different cultures, languages, colors…
How do you teach diversity to your children?
More Kids Activities
What is diversity? Take time on Martin Luther King Jr Day to show your children that diversity is appreciating what is on the inside of people and not the outside. For more cultural kids activities, take a look at these ideas: