5 Tips on How to Raise Socially Aware Children
Social awareness is one of the focal points at Camp Kupugani, our Midwest overnight residential summer camp with girls-only, boys-only, and blended sessions near Madison, Wisconsin (and also not far from Chicago, Illinois). A recent article put forth some good tips on how to raise socially aware children. See below for some quick takeaways, with the full article here.
Socially Aware Tips
- Address privilege early
- Speak with your children about differences (don’t pretend to be “color-blind”)
- Address the challenges that can arise from these differences
- Make sure that their toys, books, and TV demonstrate a range of cultural backgrounds
- Be mindful that your children are exposed to different social lifestyles early
- Discuss why/how the toy, book, or TV show is different and important
- Let them have a voice
- Allow your child to express themselves even (especially) if it is not your view
- Listening can help open up a conversation
- Talk about current events
- Talk about them on a level that matches your child’s maturity and understanding
- Ask open-ended questions
- Don’t bypass the problem
- Kids absorb everything!
- Address problems as they arise