Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/484999
24 Hudson Valley Parent
■
April 2015
The bonus is that this allows you
to open the door to speaking about
not only racial diversity, but all kinds
of diversity, according to Cohn.
"This is an opportunity to ac-
knowledge that we live in vast world,
where there are many different kinds
of people with many backgrounds,
cultures, languages and religions
and ways of thinking and encourage
dialogue about this," she says.
Intentionally expose
them to diversity
According to the 2010 census
data, in Orange County, black
residents accounted for 10.2 percent
of the population, and Hispanics
accounted for 18 percent.
On the other hand, in Ulster
County, the census data showed
that only 6 percent of residents were
black and 8.7 percent were Hispanic.
It is up to parents in these areas
to showcase a wide range of dif-
ferences to their children. This can
be done through age appropriate
picture books, such as "Whoever You
Are" by Mem Fox or "The Colors of
Us" by Karen Katz.
You can also do this through TV
shows. The classic standby is Ses-
ame Street, but cartoons like Little
Einsteins, Ni Hao Kai-Lan, and Dora
the Explorer also feature different
cultures and races.
Moyer suggests watching such
shows with your child and listening
to see if they point out any differ-
ences. You can use the opportunity
to discuss a different way of life and
world view. You can also use this
to begin introducing your child to
what race is, asking perhaps, "Do
you know why his skin is a different
color? It's because of where his family
came from a long time ago."
Whatever your entry point, it
is a critical talk to have, and one
to continue to engage in as your
child grows.
Dawn Green is a freelance
writer a mom of two boys who
lives in Saugerties.
Anita Mambo Cohn, LCSW, MA,
a psychotherapist who practices in
New Paltz and works with individu-
als, couples and families of diverse
backgrounds in New York City and
throughout the Hudson Valley, says
it is critical that as parents we do not
shut down those questions.
"Young children are naturally cu-
rious and this is something that we
want to encourage," she says.
Instead, use these comments
or questions as an opportunity to
open a dialogue. It is important that
during such a dialogue we not only
acknowledge differences, but also
point out similarities among peo-
ple who perhaps look different. For
instance, a parent could say: "Even
though you and Eli have different
colored skin, you also both have a
lot in common. What kind of things
do you think you have in common?"
Moyer says another approach
would be to highlight the fact that
everybody has differences: "He does
have darker skin than you. Johnny's
hair is lighter than yours. Annie has
blue eyes! Everyone is unique —
there are so many different skin, eye
colors, and hair colors. What do you
think about that?"
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