How to Teach Kids to be Accepting of Gay People: DEI Parent Guidebooks

By Trish Allison

All books in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Parent Guidebooks series are written for parents (and caregivers) of elementary school kids. This particular guidebook focuses on LGBTQ equality by providing concise instructions for teaching your child how to be an LGBTQ+ ally. You'll find step-by-step guidance and practical ideas for:   

 

- Subtly learning your child's true opinion of LGBTQ equality
- Responding to common LGBTQ questions
- Explaining the ABCs of LGBTQ
- Selecting family media that supports respect for the LGBTQ community
- Learning how to talk so kids will listen

 

Please note: New children's books and (most) school curriculums about diversity and inclusion are evolving daily, which is fantastic news! But there's a gap that needs filling. To help kids really absorb the values they're learning, parents need practical ideas and instructions for incorporating those values into daily life at home.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: DEI for Parents
• Release date: Apr 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9781393674641

Trish Allison

Raising two children in a non-traditional family gives Trish a unique perspective on the importance of teaching kids that everyone deserves kindness and respect.  She combined her experience as a parent, her career as a technical writer, countless hours of child psychology research, a degree in English from U.C. Berkeley, and a long-ignored passion to write something meaningful -- into a collection of DEI parenting guidebooks.  The goal of the guidebooks is not to brainwash children into a 'socialist' way of thinking, but to simply, honestly, and at an appropriate age-level, discuss and respond to children's curiosity about contemporary cultural issues.

Book preview

Introduction

First, this guidebook is not about helping your child understand their own sexual identity. Rather, it’s about helping you proactively teach them that members of the LGBTQ community deserve the same kindness and respect as everyone else.

As a parent/caregiver, you have the power to ensure that your child learns sustainable norms and habits that encourage equality for all. But like anything of value, it takes time for seeds to grow. In Role of Parents in Inculcating Values, we learn:

It takes time to acquire a habit and parents need to be patient with their children. Keep repeating these habits every day so the child inculcates it more promptly. Sometimes, parents are not aware what habits they should teach their children.¹

This guidebook fills that parenting need by providing practical tips that teach children long-term LGBTQ-equality habits.

Each chapter is intentionally structured progressively to help you guide your child toward fully understanding that, regardless of whom you love, all people deserve the same respect and opportunities for success.

Finally, this guidebook provides practical parenting tips for fostering a mindset of inclusiveness throughout your child’s development. Yes, children are heavily influenced by their peers, but ultimately, the values they carry with them into adulthood are learned at home.

About This Guidebook

A page of a guidebook

Chapter 1

How To (Subtly) Learn Your Child's True Opinion of LGBTQ Equality

This chapter appears first because it's important for you to find out what your child already knows about LGBTQ equality before you start guiding them.

Maybe they're already well-versed in all aspects of current and past issues. Or maybe they know very little about it and you’re starting with a blank slate.

Either way, you’ll never know until you get them talking and really listen to their opinion.

Keep in mind that because kids tend to shy away from face-to-face, formal discussions, the best way to learn their opinion is to listen and learn sporadically. There's no need for a one-time, sit-down, eye-to-eye conversation. Keep it simple and casual.

Step 1. Get your