Understanding others' backgrounds and communities can be valuable for us to learn and appreciate each other's differences. In this social emotional learning activity, your child will write stories about two different people. The stories will include similarities and differences in the ways each person lives in their communities. They will strive to understand what it would be like to live in different places, the impact that can have on people's outlooks, and why it's important to understand different backgrounds and perspectives.
What You Need:
- Similarities and Differences in Communities worksheet
- Crayons
- Pencils
What You Do:
- Ask your child to describe where they live. Have them share specific details, including the weather, transportation, the types of languages people speak, and where most people get their food.
- Ask, "How has where you live helped you be who you are today?" Maybe your child lives in the city and therefore knows how to use public transportation. Maybe they live near the ocean, which has made them learn about different sea animals.
- Ask, "What's the difference between where you live and somewhere very different that other people live?" (Example: If you live in a city, have your child describe what it may be like for someone who lives on a farm or by the ocean.)
- Explain to your child that they will be writing two stories about two different young people who live in different places. Have your child choose the two locations where the characters live (e.g. one in the city, one by the ocean).
- Ask your child what they think it would be like to live in the two different places they picked.
- Review the Similarities and Differences in Communities worksheet with them, and ask why it's important to understand different perspectives. Why is it important to understand differences and people's backgrounds?
- Ask your child if they have any questions.
- Together, work through the Similarities and Differences in Communities worksheet to guide your conversation.
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