“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today we recognize the man behind the words above. As the third Monday of January reminds us, focusing on what unites us instead of what divides us makes our lives happier, more peaceful, and more successful…a lesson evident from an early age. According to the National School Climate Center:

“…school climate is larger than any one person’s experience. When people work together, a group process emerges that is bigger that any one person’s actions. A comprehensive assessment of school climate includes major spheres of school life such as safety, relationships, teaching and learning, and the environment as well as larger organizational patterns (e.g. from fragmented to shared; healthy or unhealthy). How we feel about being in school and these larger group trends shape learning and student development. Peer-reviewed educational research has consistently demonstrated that a positive school climate is associated with academic achievement, effective risk prevention efforts and positive youth development.”

Teaching kids to not only accept others for their differences, but to celebrate diversity among their peers means that the group functions better overall, benefiting each student on an individual level. And the value goes beyond time spent in the classroom. A “positive school climate fosters youth development and learning necessary for a productive, contributing and satisfying life in society.”

How Can You Help at Home?

• Communicate to your kids that everyone deserves to feel socially, emotionally and physically safe.
• Explain the importance of respecting AND engaging others.
• Provide first-hand experiences, such as caring for pets or looking out for younger siblings, to allow kids to think of themselves as helpful, caring people.
• Get involved in your child’s school and activities to encourage policies and programs that celebrate diversity of talents, interests, age, race, income, background, appearance, cultures, etc.

Check out these “14 Unexpected Responses to Hatred Show That Humans Do Sometimes Get It Right” for more inspiring stories of people looking beyond their differences to find common ground, fertile for a positive outcome. Make it a great week!