What is tolerance for children? Definition and Examples
Tolerance is one of the main values for our children. This will open many opportunities and in turn, will allow them a better coexistence with their environment. Communicating their importance and showing them how they can do it is indispensable to their education. But for this, the first thing we have to do is define what tolerance is for children. Below we explain it to you, and we show you some examples.
What is tolerance for children?
We will understand tolerance as a universal value since it is indispensable and known anywhere in the world. It is related to the reaction we have to the beliefs, customs, thoughts, and actions of another person. Tolerance allows us to live with other people, despite our differences; It is respect for the rights of others to be what they want to be.
Tolerance is being able to think about what the other is expressing to us, moving away a little from our context, that is, from what we have learned and what surrounds us, to get closer to the world of the other person. In this way we move away from judging, criticizing, or harming others. It allows us to understand, even without much information about each other’s lives, that we are all different and more importantly, that it is a right to be different.
Tolerance allows us not to want to change the person to think like us, it is full of respect for both the person and me. Tolerance above all relates to what can make me uncomfortable because it does not go with what I think, but does not have an objective of direct harm to me; If we feel that way, we can make use of assertiveness and empathy.
Part of tolerance is understanding that we may feel strange or a little uncomfortable about the situation. But it doesn’t mean we should make the other feel bad. The greatest benefit of tolerance is knowing the diversity of thoughts. Even that will allow children to know and wonder about their way of thinking. It will make them more critical of their own learning, sociable, and kind to others. Of course, the best way to teach about the definition of tolerance is to start by example as an adult. It is to guide it little by little, not from scolding, but from empathy, which will allow them to understand that there is no single truth and that you can live perfectly with that person who is different.
Example of tolerance for children
Some examples of this value can be found in everyday life; That is why below we leave you a small list of actions that show tolerance and bring them closer to everything we have already described.
When a classmate thinks differently about a topic in the class, the way to show tolerance is by listening to their point of view, and not laughing even if we disagree or find it incoherent. If the class allows it, give our point of view and see if there is a middle ground, understanding that both points of view are equally valid. In case it is not a debate, keep quiet and continue with the class.- When a colleague dresses differently or has unusual accessories here we will understand that it is a taste and that these clothes do not do it either more or less, so you have to treat it equally.
- If someone ever makes a mistake, whether they accept it or find it difficult to do so, we must understand that we can all make it, that we see things differently and that does not define them as a person, it is only a small action and There is no need to mock or put labels or nicknames on it.
- In case my colleague has a different work rhythm from mine and it causes me to despair or some other emotion, I must respect that everyone is different, and look for the possibility of doing some other activity if I finish before, without offending my partner.
It is important to mention that tolerance is not only about respecting others in the face of issues that bother us. Also with ourselves, sometimes we do things or have characteristics that we would not want, and it is difficult for us to accept. That makes us different and we tend to get angry or judge them.
We hope you find this article very useful, leave us your comment.
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