You are like Me!
Here's What To Do
Sit with your child in front of the mirror. “Let’s look at ourselves! What do you see?” Point out physical features like eyes, nose, or hair.
Look at photos of familiar people (e.g., family, friends, or teachers). Say, “This is your ____! What’s the same about you? Do you have the same eye color?”
Discuss how you are alike. “You both have curly hair! Your friend’s hair is brown, and yours is blonde. We all look a little different, but we all have noses, eyes, and big smiles!”
Repeat with other pictures of family members, friends, teachers and classmates.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Turn off distractions like TVs or phones. Sit close to your child, make eye contact, and smile warmly.
Engage:
- “What’s the same about your hair and [friend’s/teacher’s] hair?”
- “How about us? What’s different? What’s the same?”
Encourage:
- “I like how you are looking closely for things that are the same between you and other people.”
- “It’s okay if you’re not sure. Let’s look together and try again!”
Reflect:
- “How did you feel when you saw other people with the same ____ as you?”
Not quite ready?
Focus on naming and pointing to body parts. For example, say, “Where’s your nose? Here’s my nose!” Encourage your child to copy you.
Ready for more?
Use a book or magazine with pictures of people. Ask your child to find features they recognize, like “Who else has glasses like you?”
As your child masters this skill...
They will begin to understand what makes them similar to and different from other people.