Significant challenges are emerging in the 21st Century which threaten childhood inner development, social identification, nonviolent communication and global citizenship. Fostering many skills needed for life preparation including multi-cultural awareness, positive self-concept, proficiency in conflict resolution and prejudice-free thinking are becoming increasingly important. More and more parents, teachers and child caregivers are becoming increasingly aware of the negative impact this lack of training has had on our youth. Thus, an opportunity exists to offer programs and services to meet these needs directly to teachers, parents and caregivers.
Young children form ideas about themselves and other people long before they start kindergarten. They learn how others view people like themselves from television, books, magazines, photographs and, of course, interactions with other people. Uncomfortable reactions can alert children to the negative significance some people place on differences among people.
We all want children to grow up in a world free from bias, discrimination and hatred, where they feel loved and included and never to experience the pain of rejection or exclusion. But the reality is that we do live in a world in which racism and other forms of bias continue to affect us. Discrimination hurts and leaves scars that can last a lifetime, affecting goals, ambitions, life choices, and feelings of self-worth.
Therefore, it is important to begin teaching anti-bias lessons as early in life as possible. If we reinforce these lessons, children will learn to appreciate, rather than fear, differences and to recognize bias and stereotypes when they see them.