Helping Children Develop Cultural Competence
by Laura Stanton
Northern Hills Fellowship
October 1, 2000

One of the easiest ways to help our children develop cultural competence is also one that relies on our ability to be comfortable talking about differences. Often times, however, adults are not prepared to talk with children about cultural differences. Adults often assume that by not talking about cultural differences, they are protecting their children from developing prejudice.

However, research suggests that not talking to children about cultural differences may actually fuel the development of prejudice and stereotypes. Most adults are surprised to hear that between the ages of 2 and 5, children become aware of cultural and ethnic differences. Not only do children at this age become aware of differences, they also begin to recognize which differences are valued and which are not. At this developmental stage, the misconceptions, and the discomfort, fear, and rejection of difference is called pre-prejudice. However, if adults do not intervene with children, pre-prejudice can develop into real prejudice.

While talking to children and young adults about prejudice, it is important to be open and honest. Conversations about cultural differences should honor and respect the differences, but also remind our young people about the similarities we all have in common. For example, it is not unusual for children to ask why someone has a different skin color than they do. If a white child asks you why her friend Ashanti has dark skin, see this as a teachable moment. Even if you may be more comfortable not answering the question, ignoring this moment will send the message that she should not talk about differences. Instead, acknowledge Ashanti's darker skin. Depending on the child's age you may simply say, "Yes, Ashanti does have darker skin than you do. Just like you got your lighter skin color from your parents, Ashanti got his darker skin color from his parents." This response acknowledges the difference in skin color, while at the same time making skin color a common aspect we all share. If the child is older, an adult can also explain how the presence of melanin affects skin color in all of us.

The development of cultural competence never ends. It is a continual journey, not a destination, and we all need to be aware of it and comfortable with it. We must recognize that we live in a society that has pervasive cultural biases and prejudices. Adults must take an active role in fostering children's cultural competence. If we fail to answer children's questions or fail to counteract the negative messages about our cultural differences, then we silently support the biases and prejudices. Our silence will not help children develop cultural competence. Indeed it is our willingness to talk about cultural differences and take an active role in challenging the prejudices in our society that will help our children be knowledgeable about and comfortable with difference.

Reader Response
Did you like this publication? Was it helpful to you? What elements do you agree with? In what ways do you have a different view? You may send your comments and thoughts to Laura Stanton at lstanton@uunhf.org.

Copyright ©2000 Northern Hills Fellowship