How to Teach Children About Mental Disabilities

Teaching children about mental retardation is difficult. As adults we sometimes struggle to understand mentally disabled people’s limitations and struggles. Because of the wide range of symptoms and coherence, it’s important to educate ourselves as well as our children. Here are some tips to help teach children about mental disabilities.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Be honest and open. It’s important to talk to your children openly about mental disabilities. Talk to them age specific, but discuss why mental disabilities occurs. You can tell your child that when babies are forming in their mom’s belly a lot of changes occur. Show them a picture of how the baby grows and eyelids and fingers start to appear. Discuss with them how at different stages, different babies develop differently and some babies are born with slight abnormalities, either psychological or physical. Honestly tell them that although these children may face challenges, we shouldn’t treat them any differently than if they had grown blue eyes instead of brown in the womb.
2. Allow your child to ask questions. A lot of people tell their child to hush when they ask questions, but it’s best to allow children to discuss things openly. Mental disability is not something to be ashamed of, and by hushing them they will assume it shouldn't be discussed. Answer questions to the best of your ability and if you are unsure tell them that. Suggest that you both look it up together at the library or online.
3. Volunteer for a special needs program. By volunteering with your child in a special needs nursery or after school program, your child will get one on one time playing and assisting with special needs children. After a few moments you child won’t even remember these are special needs children.
4. Look for examples in your own life. If there is no one with mental disabilities amidst your friends or family, use examples your child can relate to. Use their grandpa who uses a walker as an example. Your child is able to see how grandpa struggles with a walker so they will be able to associate that with a child that must use a walker or has a brace on their leg.
5. Teach your child patience. Sometimes mentally disabled people need a little help to understand or complete projects. Your child should understand that this is just a limitation and does not reflect on their intelligence. Encourage your child to be supportive and offer extra help to those that need it. Use an example of something they struggle with in their own life. If they struggle in math, associate a task with a huge math problem that they can’t grasp. They’ll be more inclined to help if they can associate it with something in their own life.
6. Teach your child to treat everyone the same. There have been great strides in overcoming racism and prejudice, but as a society we still struggle. By teaching your child to treat everyone with the same love and kindness, you help them embrace people from all different walks of life including those who are mentally disabled.