But no matter what the children hear in other circumstances, ethnic and gender slurs or hostile remarks about another's appearance or disability are not acceptable at the center. It hurts his feelings. At the same time, victims of such attacks should have ample opportunity to protest and speak up for themselves. Insults do hurt and we can't pretend they don't. While acknowledging this, the teacher should also make a big point of saying that just because someone says you're something doesn't make it true.
Some people feel ill at ease when children point out differences they perceive in other people.
While these are not easy or comfortable situations to confront, they can provide excellent opportunities to clear up confusion and provide accurate information that is vital if children are to develop healthy attitudes about race, gender and identity. There may not be much we can do about racism, bigotry and prejudice in the rest of the world but in our classrooms, we can promote awareness and acceptance of diverse peoples and cultures. Start by providing children with access to a wide array of multi-cultural materials on a regular basis. Although inclusion of materials and activities is important, it is just the beginning. What really matters is the respect that teachers model when dealing with other adults and children.