Two furry creatures cannot agree on who is what size. One insists that the other is big, while the other believes that the first one is small. They continue to bicker, using others of their size to back up their claim and make generalizations about the other. Only when a giant creature, followed by a tiny one, shows up do the first two agree that size is a matter of perspective.
Be Careful Not to Jump to Conclusions
When the two creatures use others of their size to compare the other group, they are making generalizations about each other. They don’t know that they are basing their point of view of the world on the few “big” or “small” creatures they see.
While they are still too young to completely understand, begin teaching children about generalizations and not jumping to conclusions based on a small amount of information. Making generalizations about someone’s size not only puts them down, but makes them feel like they aren’t “normal.”
Teach your child to get to know the person first before judging them on appearance. Make the distinction that noticing someone’s physical characteristics is okay, but judging that person’s worth by them is not.
No One’s the Same & That’s OK
To each creature, their size is normal and insists that the other is the “wrong” size. From the age of two onwards, children are beginning to form their own opinions about the world. Their perspectives are also formed by observing you, the parent. If you are commenting on someone’s size, then your child is likely to see that as okay and put others down because their size isn’t “normal.”
Teach your child that everyone is different and that’s okay. If your child is bigger or smaller than other children their age, reassure them that everyone grows differently. Doing so will help promote a healthy body image and make your child less likely to tease or judge someone on their physical differences.
Recommended Audience
You Are (Not) Small is recommended for early readers, approximately 2-6 years old who are becoming more aware of themselves. Sentences are short and words repeat themselves, making it easy for beginner readers to read and younger listeners to follow along. Children can point out the differences between the two creatures and be delighted when others join in and humorously prove them wrong.