Kindergarten and 1st graders are listening to the story Howard Wigglebottom Listens to His Heart four our January lesson. Acceptance of self and others are integral parts of being part of a school community. We discussed how people are different in many ways on the outside - hair, skin and eye color, tall or short, the way we dress, the sound of our voice, etc.
As individuals, we all have different things that make us happy, and it can be difficult if peers do not understand or accept these differences. Children need to understand that there will be times when what friends are doing does not match their own expectations. Students are learning to develop a positive attitude towards self and others as unique and worthy individuals. We can encourage this development by helping them self-reflect: what do I appreciate about myself? What am I good at? Do I have to be the same as my friends?
You can help your child to consider the feelings and opinions of others - to put him or herself in the other person's shoes. Encourage them to see that differences are to be appreciated and celebrated. You can do this by exposing them to other cultures and people through watching television programs or reading books about other people and places and participating in local community cultural events and festivals.
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