How to Teach Inclusivity to Your Preschooler: A Step-by-Step Guide by Modern School Deepali

The other day, little Meera came home from preschool with a question that stopped her mother in her tracks: “Why does Rohan need a wheelchair, and why don’t I?” It wasn’t a question meant to offend: it was pure curiosity from a four-year-old trying to make sense of the world. 

At Modern School Early Years, Deepali, we see moments like these every day: opportunities to shape empathy, understanding, and kindness. Teaching inclusivity doesn’t begin in a lecture; it begins in everyday conversations, at home and at school. This guide will walk you through simple, age-appropriate ways to help your preschooler grow into a compassionate and inclusive human being.

Why Is Teaching Inclusivity Important in Early Childhood?

Teaching inclusivity in early childhood lays the foundation for a kinder, more empathetic society. At this impressionable age, children are naturally observant and curious: they begin noticing differences in skin colour, language, physical abilities, family structures, and even food choices.

Introducing inclusivity early helps them understand that differences are not only normal but valuable. Inclusivity isn’t limited to race or religion: it includes embracing children with disabilities, respecting diverse family dynamics (such as single-parent or same-sex households), and appreciating cultural, linguistic, and gender diversity. 

When children learn to accept and celebrate differences, they are less likely to engage in bullying or exclusion. Instead, they develop empathy, cooperation, and emotional intelligence—skills that serve them throughout life. At one of the Best Preschools in Pitampura, Delhi, we believe these lessons are as essential as ABCs and 123s. Inclusive thinking starts young, and the earlier we nurture it, the stronger and more accepting our future generation will be.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Teach Inclusivity to Your Preschooler

1. 1. Start with Simple Conversations
Use casual moments, like grocery shopping or storytime, to point out differences in people’s appearance, language, or customs. Be honest and open. When your child notices someone in a wheelchair or wearing a hijab, explain it respectfully. These conversations don’t have to be formal; they just need to be thoughtful.

“Yes, Sharon wears glasses and you don’t. Everyone is different in their own way—that’s what makes the world so interesting!”

2. Choose Inclusive Books and Toys
Build a home library that features characters from different races, family structures, and abilities. Add dolls with varying skin tones, toys with glasses or mobility aids, and puzzles representing world cultures. Children learn through play—make sure their playthings reflect the real world.

At the Best Nursery in Pitampura Delhi, our classrooms include diverse materials that encourage acceptance and representation from the start.

3. Celebrate Cultural and Religious Festivals
Turn your home into a space where festivals from across India and beyond are acknowledged and enjoyed. Whether it’s lighting a menorah for Hanukkah, trying biryani during Eid, or making rangoli for Diwali, these celebrations teach children that difference is beautiful and meaningful.

4. Model Inclusive Behaviour
Children mirror adult behaviour. Show respect to all people, irrespective of caste, religion, gender, or background. Your preschooler learns from watching how you treat domestic staff, neighbours, shopkeepers, or people with disabilities. These small acts create lasting impressions.

5. Encourage Empathy and Sharing
Use puppets or role-play to explore feelings: “How do you think Ria felt when no one shared toys with her?” At Modern Early Years, we use storytelling and emotion cards to help children understand how their actions affect others.

6. Create a Kindness Chart
Design a visual chart at home. Add stars or stickers when your child includes someone, shares, or uses kind words. Celebrate these moments to show that inclusive actions matter.

7. Visit Diverse Community Spaces
Attend multicultural storytime at the library, visit museums with global exhibits, or play in parks where your child meets others from different walks of life. Exposure breaks down unconscious biases.