Teach Children Not To Point And Stare Essay

Teaching Children Why We Don’t Point and Stare at People

Children are curious and when someone doesn’t look the same as everyone else, they are going to instantly spot them. Many younger children can’t help themselves when they comment about a person in a wheelchair, or when they see someone with a prosthetic leg. They are not doing it to be cruel, they are curious. It is our job as parents to help them understand that sometimes people don’t appreciate when others point and stare at them. It can make a person uncomfortable and make them have a lower self-esteem.

Why is it Important to Teach Our Children Not to Point and Stare
Pointing and staring is rude. While it is harder to prevent younger children from doing it, there comes a time where the act becomes intolerable and rude. People are meant to look different from one another. There are some people who are always going to be more beautiful than others while there are going to be some people who have strange features. You need to explain to your child that it is okay to be curious but that doesn’t mean that they can just point and stare at someone until that person is uncomfortable. We are all human beings and we all deserve to be treated with the same amount of respect regardless of our features.

When is It Appropriate?

You should start teaching your children not to point and stare as soon as they are old enough to understand that some people are different.

You need to educate your children and let them know that there are numerous ways that a person might look different. Disabilities are one of the most common point and stare situations. People who live with disabilities are aware that they look different to the outside world. They also feel self-conscious when people point and stare at them. They don’t need reminders of their differences. Parents should also educate their children on how people can choose to change their appearance such as having tattoos or different colored

hair.

Ways to Help Teach Your Child Not to Point and Stare
• The first thing you need to do is educate your child. If someone walks by with a bright rainbow colored Mohawk and your child points, politely ask them to stop pointing. Explain that the person colored their hair. You might comment that the hair is very unique to show that we should always be polite.
• Ask questions. When you have little children, people usually don’t mind when they ask questions. If someone is in a wheelchair, help your child politely ask about the wheelchair. Encourage your child to say positive things to the person they are asking. If someone is covered in tattoos, let your child politely ask them about them. Most people don’t mind sharing because it lets them know that you are genuinely curious and not being cruel.
• Explain to your child that we are all different and that makes us unique. Show that the differences in people are positive things. Even if you don’t approve of someone’s hair choice, or the way they dress, be positive about the experience. There are going to be times, like if a person’s pants are too low, that you will have to lighten the situation and suggest that maybe they forgot their belt today. Children need to embrace the positive side of change.