Where Does Prejudice Start?

We have come so far in the last few hundred years. Schools are no longer segregated, we don't make laws based on race,  and we don't prevent people to vote based on gender. However, there is still a real fight against prejudice.People still assume entire races of people are a certain way or do the same thing. It doesn't matter if they have actually seen this to be true or not, their prejudice opinions are like a wild fire. One person believes something to be true and it starts to spread to all of the people around them. It doesn't need any truth to spread, rather ignorant individuals. How can you fight against something so big? Something that has been going on for hundreds of years? Well, you can go back to where it all begins. 

Can you guess where prejudice starts?

It starts in your very own home. Now, I'm not saying you actually sit down and teach your children to be prejudice.Ok, little Timmy. Remember, anytime you see an East Indian man, they...Rather, it's the opposite. The lack of information about different races is what causes prejudice. Children need to learn about the world around them. [tweetthis twitter_handles="@almstindianwife" display_mode="box"]Learning about the world around them, will help kids be more comfortable in who they are. [/tweetthis]Taking the time to learn about the world around them will help children to realize everyone is different. Instead of assuming different qualities based on race, they will understand we live in a diverse world with many different cultures. Each culture can be vastly different, even within the same race. 

Teach Your Kids Young And Prevent Prejudice 

Read diverse books as a family. 

Reading as a family is important for so many different reasons. Make sure your books don't reflect a single race. Rather, encourage your children to get books that show our colorful world.

Make food from different countries. 

Kids learn though hands on experiences. Look up some different recipes online, or check out my Pinterest board where I've done it all for you. Choose a recipe and make it as a family. While you're making it, discuss the culture. Do they eat with their hands? Do they use chopsticks?

Listen to music from around the world.

My children LOVE music. We always throw on different songs from around the world in the car and at home. It doesn't even have to be in English. Just turn it on and have a dance party as a family!

Answer their questions about world, even if they are BIG questions for little kids. 

Kids will ask questions as they think of them. A dangerous thing to do as a parent is put them off and not answer. Their is always an age appropriate way to answer BIG questions. Create open communication with your children so they go to you for answers rather than their friends who may give a prejudice answer. 

Travel!

Pack up your bags and take a family vacation. Instead of Disney Land this year, go to Hyderabad, India! You can teach your children different phrases or words in Telugu, teach them to eat with their hands, and have a great time! 

Get travel books and discuss different traditions in foreign countries. 

Before you go, grab some travel books. They're great because they discus the culture and so much more! They even have pictures! This will create instant conversations with your kids and get them excited to visit. 

Play games from different places. 

Look online and find some fun games kids play around the world. Try it out and see how easy or hard they are in comparison to your children's favorite games. 

Watch foreign movies.

On your next family movie night, put on a foreign movie. You can turn on the subtitles and watch a new world. My kids love to watch Telugu movies, even though they don't know what they're saying. They watch and talk about what's happening the entire time!Head over to 5 Minutes For Mom to see my post where I discuss other ways to teach your children about different cultures. The biggest and most important thing you can do is talk. Talk with your kids about the world. A small conversation every day can put an end to something as rampant as prejudice. Let's join together and stop prejudice!