Fostering tolerance is one of the key elements of upbringing, especially in today’s society, where inclusion has become an integral part of educational and social spaces. From an early age, children begin to explore the world, learn to interact with others, and form perceptions about differences among people. It is during this period that the foundations of tolerant attitudes toward others, including children with special educational needs, are laid.
Why is it important to nurture tolerance in preschoolers?
The preschool age is considered the most favorable period for shaping social behavior. During this stage, children are open to perceiving new knowledge, observant, and actively adopt adults’ behavioral patterns. If attention is not paid to cultivating tolerance at an early age, it may lead to challenges in accepting differences among people later, negatively impacting relationships in society.
Tolerance helps children:
- Understand and accept others. Children raised in an inclusive environment learn that people can be different, but this does not make anyone better or worse.
- Develop empathy. The ability to empathize and see a situation from another person’s perspective becomes an essential skill for social adaptation.
- Handle conflicts. Tolerance reduces the likelihood of aggressive behavior, teaches how to seek compromises, and find common ground.
According to the study by N.S. Anufrieva, children raised in an environment that provides a positive example of tolerance adapt more successfully to inclusive societies and develop cooperative skills.
How to teach tolerance in preschoolers?
Fostering a tolerant attitude toward children with special needs requires a systematic approach, which includes working with children, their parents, and educators.
- Using fairy tales and play methods.
Fairy tales, stories, and games are effective tools for teaching tolerance. They help explain to children in a simple way that everyone is different but equally important. For example, through fairy tale characters, diversity can be shown as a means to overcome challenges. - Role-playing games.
Educators and parents can organize role-playing games where children take on roles of people with different needs. This helps develop empathy and understanding. - Positive example of adults.
Children often imitate adults’ behavior. If parents and educators demonstrate respectful attitudes toward children with special needs, it lays a solid foundation for tolerance. - Discussing emotions and actions.
It is important to teach children to express their emotions and analyze both their own behavior and that of others. This helps develop emotional intelligence and fosters respectful attitudes toward others.
The role of educators and parents.
Educators and parents play a leading role in fostering tolerance in preschoolers. It is crucial that their approaches to interacting with children with special needs are consistent and that the work is done collaboratively. Parents can support the initiatives of educational institutions, participate in activities aimed at promoting inclusion, and also learn how to cultivate tolerance in their children.
Fostering tolerance is a contribution to society.
Teaching tolerance to preschoolers is not only an investment in the child’s development but also a significant step toward building an inclusive society. Children who learn to accept and understand others from an early age grow up to be more open, empathetic, and prepared for interaction in a complex and multifaceted world.