D for Diversity

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D – Diversity

Always remember that you are absolutely unique.  Just like everyone else. 

Margaret Mead

We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.

Anne Frank

Recognising diversity is a wonderful thing.  Every single person is a unique and wonderful being.  Even identical twins are not truly identical.  Almost everyone has an urge to fit in, be part of the crowd.  There is nothing wrong with having things in common with others or to make compromises in order to maintain friendships but consistently compromising

Different doesn't mean better, it certainly doesn't mean worse.  

Advice and Activities to Practice Diversity With Your Child

From quite a young age children are able to determine people who look different to them.  It’s quite normal for them to point out a disabled person or one of a different race or to ask questions of these people about their differences.  A quick, embarrassed, “don’t point”, or “I’m so sorry” is the common reaction by the caregiver and often the end of the matter.  This leaves the child confused and feeling that differences are something we shouldn’t discuss.  

The vast majority of people do not find this natural and innocent curiosity offensive and is a great opportunity to explore diversity with your child.  If you do dismiss their questioning be sure to come back to it at a later point.  There are some great children’s books (see below) written for this specific purpose.

A simple activity to explore diversity with your child(ren) is to take a selection of different eggs.  This can be different coloured hen eggs or you can include different sized eggs too (anything from quail to ostrich eggs will work).  Cook the eggs.  Discuss their different appearances and what the inside of the different coloured and sized eggs might be.  

Open the eggs and cut them up to show that they are all the same on the inside.

Be sure to relate this to people and that although we look very different on the outside, our insides are the same.  

Affirmation on Diversity

I am different, I am special and I am beautiful.


Books to Explore Diversity with Younger Children

Whoever You Are

The Rainbow Stick Boy

The Family Book


Links are from Amazon as it's the most international site but we do not make any money from the links and I encourage you to visit your local bookshop to find the best book for your situation.