Early Childhood

Have you ever watched a child’s face light up when they meet someone completely different from themselves? There’s this beautiful moment of curiosity. That pure, unfiltered openness is something we could all use more of these days.

I’ve been thinking a lot about tolerance lately. Not just the ‘put up with it’ kind, but the deeper acceptance that recognizes others’ beliefs and behaviors as legitimate, even when they differ dramatically from our own.

In our world of endless diversity—from ethnicities and religions to gender expressions and abilities—teaching ourselves and our children to navigate differences with respect isn’t just nice, it’s necessary. Diversity isn’t just something to tolerate; it’s something that actively enriches our lives, bringing fresh perspectives and experiences we’d otherwise miss.

The people who make social interactions flow smoothly, they’re the tolerant ones. They have this remarkable ability to accept others as they are, offering the same patience and good humor they’d hope to receive. It’s a form of emotional resilience, really—a strength that helps us weather life’s inevitable conflicts and misunderstandings.

That said, let’s be clear: tolerance has its limits. When facing genuine injustice like bullying or discrimination, tolerance isn’t the answer. But for most of life’s differences and disagreements, a little tolerance goes a remarkably long way.

For parents of little ones, teaching tolerance starts early. Simply telling toddlers to ‘be nice’ doesn’t cut it—they need real interactions with diverse people. These experiences show them firsthand how different individuals contribute to our world.

Children watch everything we do. When they see us demonstrating genuine acceptance through our actions and words, they absorb those lessons. Building tolerance also means nurturing related values: respect, kindness, empathy, and patience. Your interactions with your child become opportunities to develop awareness of others’ feelings and perspectives.

My book, Early Childhood: Where the Magic Happens offers a practical framework for promoting tolerance in everyday situations. Because ultimately, we need to be the change we want to see in our world! Whether it’s in our homes, workplaces, or communities, each small act of acceptance creates ripples that extend far beyond what we can see.

So, what about you? How do you practice tolerance in your daily life? I’d love to hear your thoughts on cultivating this increasingly important skill in our complex world.