March is Disability Awareness Month and the Twitermoms are discussing how we help our kids understand the differences and promote inclusion. Special needs may be a child with a physical disability, autism or any other kind of developmental disability.
For my family, we have explained to our kids that everyone is different: they have different hair color, skin color, some where glasses and some don't, even different laughs. We tell them that one thing all kids have in common is that everyone has feelings. I ask my kids how they would feel if someone didn't include them? They can relate to this, unfortunately it goes with being a school age child, and they know it makes them sad.
My kids, like most, don't have a very big attention span so to go on and on with long winded conversations is not productive. We are honest and don't beat around the bush, but we do take the time with a positive attitude to answer any questions they have. The most important thing I try to remind my kids is to consider someone's feelings before acting.
My children are 6, 7, 9 and 14 and they are some of the most thoughtful kids I know (I am not just saying this because they are my kids!). I am proud of them and I am thankful every day for what I have.
Did you Know?
CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and CVS Caremark run a program called All Kids Can. This program has a five-year, $25 million commitment to support children with disabilities. The goals of All Kids Can are to support children with disabilities by raising awareness in schools and in local communities about the importance of inclusion, creating greater opportunities for physical activity and play, and providing access to medical rehabilitation and related services. If you would like more information on All Kids Can, please visit: http://www.cvscaremarkallkidscan.com/.
Do You Have Any Advice?
Please share tips on "How You Talk to Your Children", it is a very important topic that I think all parents would appreciate the advice!
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