School will be starting soon, and I think that we could solve many of the problems which can arise from intolerance and bullying if we could all teach our kids of all ages to use two simple words: “That’s interesting.” Instead of ignoring or picking apart something new, as well as the person who introduced it to you, those two words can open a door to a better understanding of the world around us.
Especially for pre-k and kindergarten, when children will be exposed for the first time to the various fish in the entire cultural net, the discomfort of a new environment, and the sudden demands of a structured schedule imposed by an adult they don’t even know, the experience can be complicated by all the new lifestyles surrounding them. When overwhelmed with so many unknowns, a child has to start sorting and disposing, and sometimes that leads to saying things that can lead to bad first impressions and the formation of mismatched cliques and pecking orders which might be difficult to readjust later. If a child can simply say, “That’s interesting,” it leaves room for discussion.
We have all seen the results of our social divisions and prejudices, so why not stop them as soon as we can? Take a few minutes to tell your youngsters to try saying those words when they come across somebody who seems different, and see what happens. Children will like to talk about themselves, and they will learn from each other what makes our whole world interesting, while they take their front row seats to the future.
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