In 1996 the United Nations decided to celebrate the International Day for Tolerance every November 16. Its purpose:
"Achieve international cooperation in solving problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian nature and in the development and encouragement of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, without making distinctions on the grounds of race, sex, language or religion".
We advocate defending these objectives, giving you some actions keys to educate our children in respect and tolerance towards others, since childhood and for a lifetime.
1. Lead by example
Before even learning to speak, children observe the world around them and imitate their parents. And as they grow, they will develop their own values but will be influenced in large part by the attitudes of the people they have lived with, their family.
So, the first step for our children to be tolerant since childhood is to show respect for those around us.
Most children see the differences between their peers as something natural from the Infant School. It seems that sometimes we have the problem of lack of tolerance for adults, not our children.
In Babies and more With respect and tolerance: seven keys to discuss politics with our children2. Correct our own attitudes
As parents, we want to help our children value diversity, but we may be susceptible to the cultural stereotypes we learned, so we have to make an effort to correct them.
They don't care if their friend has two mothers or that their friend likes things listed as 'children'. So why are we surprised?
3. Show respect for others
Children are always attentive to everything we do and say and maybe sometimes we are not aware of the wrong way in which we address or talk about someone other than our beliefs.
Sometimes, we can manifest them as jokes that we believe are harmless, and that perhaps for our children are not so bad, and go against tolerance.
4. Watch what they see, read and listen to
It is good to help you select books, toys, music, crafts or videos that do not go against the values we want to instill.
The media have a powerful effect on children when it comes to shaping their personality, so we should be aware of all the popular culture that comes to them.
And if we find stereotypes that we believe are unfair, it is okay to discuss them with our children and explain them to them.
5. Supervision also on the Internet
Our children, especially when they reach adolescence, live in cyberspace, whether we like it or not. That is why it is important that they also learn to be respectful on the Web.
At this point, we refer to the “10 steps for tolerance on the Internet” campaign, with a series of tips for reflection and action, aimed primarily at children and adolescents, since it has been conceived from an educational point of view and thoughtful.
Promoted by Movistar, Twitter, Injuve and ScreensAmigas, give these recommendations:
Exercise your freedom of expression responsibly. Reflect on how it affects other people and their rights.
Stop to think before making a criticism. Make sure you have enough and truthful information to justify it.
Use a respectful tone and language. Hurt or aggressive expressions detract from credibility and provoke violent reactions.
Remember to insult, defame, slander or injure it is not making good use of freedom of expression. Sometimes there may be legal consequences.
Keep in mind that digital lynching is a form of violence. Avoid contributing to collective aggressions and do your part to avoid them.
Respect who is not like you or think differently. Diversity is an opportunity to learn and enjoy.
Cut the chains and memes that ridicule discriminated ideas or groups. Religion, ethnicity, race, nationality, language, ideology, sexual orientation or gender identity are not grounds for exclusion
Reject comments that are a threat or incite violence against a social group. Opposing is the best way to stop them
Try to show your support to who you think is being a victim of unfair treatment. A small gesture can be of great help
6. Answer your questions honestly
They will encounter attitudes and contradictions that they will not understand: such as bulliyng, for example, to a classmate for being chubby.
As parents we have to encourage them to ask us and try to answer them in a respectful but sincere way, so that they continue to trust us.
7. Recognize the differences within the family itself
Without a doubt, tolerance towards others must begin in our own home and with our children. We have to show them that we accept that their abilities, interests and styles are different to those of his brothers (or cousins, or friends).
We have to teach them to value the uniqueness of each member of their family without comparing or belittling, because there is always a child who loses.
8. Tolerance does not mean tolerating unacceptable behaviors
We cannot allow disrespect among siblings or among other children and less, to reach the hands. We must be firm in this regard so that they understand as soon as possible that our tolerance for violence is zero.
The rules and limits provide our children with security and confidence. It also helps them to understand that not everything goes.
9. Promote your high esteem
Children who feel bad about themselves generally treat others poorly, while those who have high self-esteem are valued and respected, and usually treat other people with respect.
Therefore, we must help them feel accepted, respected and valued. And one way to achieve this is to avoid comparisons between siblings.
Is it true that although we educate them the same, each of our children has their own personality? Well, they have to understand that they are different, without feeling guilty for not being so smart or handsome or such good athletes. We must praise the quality in which each one stands out.
If we see that our son shares, is generous and supportive of his peers or feels bad when he observes an injustice, it is important to let him know. This positive reinforcement helps repeat good behavior.
10. Choose centers and activities that promote diversity
It is important to give our children the opportunity to live and play with others who are different from them. By choosing a school or camp, we can select those that foster diversity.
Giving them the opportunity to play with children of all cultures and beliefs, helps them discover firsthand that we all have something to contribute. Thus they will experience for themselves the differences and similarities that exist between all people.
11. Talk with them about feelings
Expressing our feelings (positive and negative) helps us to let off steam, to release our tensions and to make our fears known.
Therefore, we must not repress them before them and we must encourage them to express them as well. This will provide them with security, and you will feel heard and understood. So we will also be helping them learn to tolerate their frustration.
12. Read stories and play as a family
The books They help us transmit values to our children. For example, we can read with them 'The ugly duckling' and then talk about the protagonist: why they treat him like this, if they think it's right ...
In addition, board games are a good ally in the teaching of tolerance, because with them they learn to respect the turn, not always win and not always be right.
13. Travel and get to know different cultures
Travel allows us to approach other customs and ways of life.
I have to point out at this point, that perhaps I am not very objective, since I am a defender of travel as part of her education. But I accept that not everyone shares my point of view that for a child it is as necessary to examine history as to miss one day of class to visit India, for example.
Playing and meeting other children and their parents in their daily lives is another way to teach them in tolerance and respect for others. Whoever thinks differently from me is free, of course to correct me.
Photos | iStock
