Diverse Reading Creates Diverse Children
Children learn and grow by experiencing the world around them. They see, feel, hear, touch, and taste everything they find. Then, they ask questions. It is in the questions where adults become the answer key. But some topics remain unfamiliar or difficult for a grown-up to answer. One such topic is diversity. Diversity in appearance, culture, and disability can all be a sensitive topic.
Table of Contents
Luckily books are here to help!
Books can take a sensitive topic and make it more approachable so that the unknown can become more familiar. Familiarity breeds understanding. Here are some great diverse books to check out to get kids started!
To share the concept of diversity, books such as:
2. We All Belong (Nathalie Goss)
3. The World Needs More Purple People (Kristen Bell)
These books have all reached Amazon’s Best seller list. These books each take a unique approach to teaching children that it’s okay to be different. They highlight and celebrate diversity.
Different cultures
Different cultures can also be explored through books. Books such as:
1. A Ticket Around the World (Natalia Diaz)
2. What We Wear: Dressing up Around The World (Maya Ajmera)
3. What Do You Celebrate?: Holidays Around the World (Whitney Stewart)
These type of books can teach children about different cultures, countries, and traditions. What a fun way to learn about new places!
Disabilities
Disabilities is another topic that books help teach. With so many different types
of disabilities such as physical, mental, and educational; books are there to help children understand.
1. Something To Say About My Communication Device (Eden Molineux)
2. My Brother Charlie (Holly Robinson Peete, Ryan Elizabeth Peete)
3. Yes I Can! A Girl and Her Wheelchair (Kendra J Barrett)
All the above books help to explore different types of disabilities. They make differences approachable rather than scary.
Final Note
Reading books to children that not only teach but celebrate diversity of all types helps answer young mind's questions as well as open up discussion. If we can teach these concepts from a young age then we can foster inclusion, love, and acceptance.