How to Teach Kids to Connect with Older 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 the value of older people by providing instructions for parents to teach kids how to connect with them successfully. Whether it's a grandparent, a neighbor, or a family friend, all children can benefit from a positive relationship with an older person. 

 

This guidebook provides step-by-step instructions and practical ideas for:  

• Subtly learning what your child already knows about older people
• Explaining the basics of the aging process
• Encouraging a relationship with an older person
• Suggesting the right questions for kids to ask older people 
• Cultivating respect for older people at home

Please note: New children's books and (many) school curriculums about diversity and inclusion are appearing daily, which is fantastic news! But there's a gap that needs filling. To help kids really absorb the values they're learning, parents (and caregivers) 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: 9798986155975

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

About This Guidebook

A page of a guidebook

Introduction

Instead of focusing on ageist stereotypes, the emphasis of this guidebook is to help your child forge (or strengthen) a positive relationship with an older person. We filled each page with practical ideas and step-by-step instructions, so you can send your child out into the world equipped with the skills needed to treat older people with the kindness and respect they deserve.

Chapter 1 starts things off with suggestions for getting a ‘read’ on what your child already knows about ageist stereotypes and the value of older people. The rest of the chapters offer instructions for explaining aging basics, encouraging friendships with older people, questions your child can and should ask an older person, and finally, ideas for cultivating a positive attitude about older people at home.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach for teaching kids understanding and respect for older people, this guidebook provides suggestions for scenarios that you can tailor to fit your own situation. Every family has their own way of doing things. We get that.

Chapter 1

Learn What Your Child Already Knows About the Value of Older People

This chapter appears first because it's important for you to find out what your child already knows about the value of older people before you start talking about it. If you start saying things they already know, they're likely to tune out.

Maybe your child already knows quite a bit, but the facts aren't accurate. Or maybe they know next-to-nothing and you’re starting with a blank slate. Either way, you’ll never know until you get them talking and really listen to their words.

Even if your child is clearly uncomfortable talking about older people, it’s important to broach the subject and try to help them feel more comfortable talking about it. The goal here is to help them feel as comfortable as possible so you can learn what they already know.

Step 1. Get your child to share their thoughts.

The best way to get most children to open up is to say the minimum. If you