Wellbeing
Building Respect For Diversity Through Sport: Talking with Kids and Building Kindness
Sport is a wonderful way for our children to learn teamwork, respect, and empathy. That’s why it's important to talk with them, even young ones, about being respectful of all people, including those with different identities. Recently, some incidents in the AFL highlight why these conversations matter. With the Footy Finals well and truly underway, now is a timely opportunity to reflect, talk, and support our children in building inclusive attitudes both on and off the field.
What Does This Mean for Our Children?
Young children look up to athletes and often repeat what they hear on the field or in the media. Hurtful language, even if it is not understood fully, can quickly become part of schoolyard talk. This makes it even more important for parents/carers and teachers to talk openly about kindness and respect.
We also know that some children feel left out or unsafe in sport because of their identity. By promoting inclusiveness, we help every child feel that they belong.
How We Can Help at Home and School
| What to Do | How to Do It
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|---|---|
| Use Simple Language | Say things like, “Everyone deserves to be treated with respect,” and “Words can hurt.”
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| Talk About Feelings | Ask, “How do you think someone feels if they’re laughed at or called names?”
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| Use ‘What If’ Scenarios | “What if someone at school has different interests? What could you do to make them feel welcome?”
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| Be a Role Model | Show respect in your own conversations and praise kindness in your child.
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| Celebrate Differences | Read books or watch shows that include diverse people, and talk positively about it.
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Why It Matters
- It builds empathy: Kids learn to understand and care about others’ feelings.
- It makes schools safer: Children who feel included are happier and more confident.
- It creates future leaders: Teaching fairness and respect sets the tone for our community’s future.
While the AFL incidents may seem like grown-up news, it opens the door to powerful conversations with our children. Teaching them that words matter and that everyone deserves respect helps build a kinder, more inclusive world, both on and off the field.
🌈 Wellbeing grows when we feel seen, heard, and included. Let’s keep building that together.
The Wellbeing Team