Teaching Tolerance: Raising Open-Minded, Empathetic Children

by Sarah Bullard

Teaching Tolerance is an invitation to parents and an invitation to examine their own habits and attitudes toward the community around them. Sara Bullard believes that once a parent is aware of the attitudes they were raised with, it is easier for them to teach their children true tolerance toward others.



The first chapters of Teaching Tolerance focus on the humanness of intolerance-no one is truly exempt from the habit of judging others. The fourth chapter outlines the work required to alter intolerant instincts. The last four chapters walk parents through children's need for security, self-expression and moral guidance; needs which, if respectfully met, will free them to be comfortable both with themselves and with people of different backgrounds.



Bullard concludes each chapter with questions and suggestions for journal writing to help parents further explore their own attitudes. Also included is an extensive list of books, toys, games and music that explore ethnicity and promote tolerance.

Genres: Parenting, Childrens

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this book basically random at a church where I was volunteering and had some time to kill. Basically it offers some strategies about raising kids who are not racists and bigots but are tolerant and respectful of other people's race, religion and orientation.

Some good stuff in here, including helpful journaling questions for probing your own intolerance attitudes and strategies for educating your children. Mostly this was pretty basic.