Contents:
- Medical Video: Understanding Disabilities | Penfield Children's Center
- Providing understanding and fostering sympathy for children with disabilities
- 1. Say that everyone is basically different
- 2. Pay attention to your words
- 3. Teach children to empathize
- 4. Invite children not to mock andbully
Medical Video: Understanding Disabilities | Penfield Children's Center
The high curiosity of children about people and the world around them often makes you faced with unexpected questions. Your little one might wonder, why do people walk with sticks or wheelchairs, why can't that person hear his speech, or why there are people who like to talk alone in public places.
Even so, you don't need to be confused or scold him. It is precisely this time for you to begin to instill an understanding of the importance of respecting and respecting the conditions that many people with disabilities have and those with special needs. Find out how in this article.
Providing understanding and fostering sympathy for children with disabilities
1. Say that everyone is basically different
Disability, disability, or self-limitation can be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these. If your little one asks and is surprised why there are people who look different from him, you can explain to him that every human being is born different. There is not a single person who is exactly the same, both his hair, his skin, his eyes, his body, and so on.
Also tell him that everyone does things differently. Some people may be able to walk with both legs, some may use a wheelchair or stick.
Tell them that the conditions of persons with disabilities cannot be fully controlled by themselves, their siblings, parents, or even doctors. Give understanding that wheelchairs for people with disabilities help them to be free to move, just like a child's feet that help him walk.
2. Pay attention to your words
Children often submit pertanaan spontaneously, do not know the time and place, which sometimes feels inappropriate when looking at things that he thinks are strange or different. It's natural for a child to be busy asking this because it is something new to him.
In situations like this, don't scold him or snapped at him, even when you feel embarrassed by his words. Overreacting actually provokes curiosity and makes them think that people with disabilities are "weird" people.
Give a brief, solid, and clear understanding with a sentence that is easy for children to understand. Also use positive language. For example, "The father uses a wheelchair to help him walk." Or "The mother uses a sophisticated tool in her ear so she can hear your voice more clearly".
Try to avoid using negative connotation words like "He can't hear," "He can't walk," and so on.
Not only that, avoid also using words that seem condescending like "disabled," and "backward,". Remember, don't use disability as a way to describe someone.
3. Teach children to empathize
Never tell your child that a person with a disability cannot do something. It is important for children to learn that when someone cannot do something in one field, it does not mean they are not superior in another field.
Give understanding to children that people with disabilities also have a myriad of advantages that people may not have in general. In essence, teach your child to see and appreciate someone from their positive characteristics, don't just see their shortcomings.
You can ask your child questions about how he wants to be treated by others. Then teach the child to treat others in the same way as he or she wants to be treated by others. Learning empathy from an early age is an important life lesson that will always be remembered until an adult child.
4. Invite children not to mock andbully
Although bitter is heard, persons with disabilities are the targets most vulnerable to intimidation or bullying from other people.
Give the child an understanding that intentionally hurting the feelings of others, whether in any form, is a wrong action. Teach your child to apologize immediately when they intentionally or not utter insulting words or intimidation to others, including those who live with disabilities.
It is important for your child to know that anyone, even someone who looks or acts differently, also has the same feelings as himself so that he deserves to be treated with kindness and respect.
