It's not uncommon for children to stare at people with disabilities. It's a natural human response to anything that's different. However, once your child becomes familiar with the disability, your child can begin to focus on what she has in common with the person, rather than the differences, explains Jan Faull, a parent educator and parenting expert for Parents.com. Help your child be accepting of people with disabilities by minimizing fear and exclusionary behavior and participating in activities and events that include people with disabilities.
Step 1
Be a good role model for your child as children watch and imitate their parents' behaviors, explains Kids Health. Treat people with disabilities with the same respect with which you treat other people and encourage your child to do the same.
Step 2
Monitor your language. When teaching your child tolerance, jokes, stereotyping and insults are off limits, states the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO. Encourage your child not to hang around other children with these habits.
Step 3
Read books to your child that focus on heroes or heroines with disabilities. Respond respectfully to any questions your child has about the characters or about people with disabilities in general. Focus on the similarities rather than the differences, advises Parents.com.
Step 4
Expose your child to activities or events that include people with disabilities such as local charity events for the disabled or the Special Olympics. Volunteer for these events with your child when possible.
Step 5
Volunteer at a community organization that supports people with disabilities and take your child with you.
Tips and Warnings
- Make allowances for any friend your child has with disabilities. For instance, select birthday activities to ensure the friend can participate in as many of them as possible. Use filtering software to block out websites or TV programs that promote hate or intolerance. Encourage your child to ask polite questions about a friend's disability, advises Faull.
- People with disabilities do not want to be viewed, and should not be viewed, as being incapable. Advise your child not to offer unwanted help, recommends Parents.com. Instead, tell your child to ask if help is needed when the person is in a difficult situation.
