How to teach kids about Pride Month: A parent’s guide to raising inclusive children

June marks Pride Month, but meaningful conversations about LGBTQ+ communities can happen at any time. By embracing people for who they are and guiding children to do the same, we create a kinder, more accepting world for all.

What Is Pride? Explaining it in kid-friendly terms

Pride Month is a celebration of love, identity, and being true to yourself. In kid-friendly terms it's celebrating love and different family structures.

Why it’s important to talk to kids about pride

Talking to kids about Pride helps build kindness, empathy, and respect. It supports children in becoming emotionally aware adults who value others for who they are. It also helps them understand that people can be different in many ways, including identity and lived experiences. These conversations can also help children feel seen and included, especially those who recognize themselves or loved ones in the stories and values of Pride.

How to talk about pride at different ages

Depending on the age of the children, you can have different conversations about pride. Here is a general overview on how to have these conversations with your little ones, but it is up to you as a parent on how to proceed. 

Toddlers and preschoolers

When your kids are toddlers and preschoolers, it is best to focus on simple ideas like “love is love” and “all families look different.” Keeping these messages short allows for young children to understand these concepts. In addition, you can use examples from their own lives like other families, or characters from books or television shows.

Early elementary kids

When your children are elementary-aged, they can begin to comprehend more complex themes such as fairness and identity. You can introduce basic ideas about being yourself, talk about treating everyone in the same way, and reinforce inclusion within their social circles, everyday interactions, and school.

Older kids

Older children can engage in deeper, more thoughtful conversations. Encourage questions and respond openly and honestly. You can also introduce basic history around Pride and discuss why it exists as part of broader social progress.

Everyday ways to reinforce inclusivity

Of course some the best way to celebrate Pride is to model inclusivity and respectful language and behavior all year round. After all, inclusivity is not a one time conversation, it’s a life-long journey. Start by kindness and anti-bullying behavior. Normalize differences in daily conversations, instead of stigmatizing people. Finally, encourage children to ask questions in a respectful manner. 

Read inclusive books together

Kids learn through storytelling, so reading inclusive books together is a great way to celebrate Pride as a family. Use reading time as a natural conversation starter and a jumping off point for learning. Looking for great books to read as a family including themes of Pride? Check out this article here. 

Follow your child’s lead

One idea is to allow your child to lead to the conversation. Let their natural curiosity shine so you know how to have conversations with them about Pride to keep them engaged in the topic. 

Keep it positive and reassuring

Focus on messages of love, belonging, and acceptance. Let kids know it’s okay to ask questions anytime and reinforce that learning about others is part of growing up, naturally leading to open and honest communication.

Raising kind and inclusive kids every day

Ultimately, teaching kids about Pride is about raising kind and inclusive human beings, which is something all parents want. Encourage them to do an act of kindness everyday, and understand that it is not about perfection, it’s about trying to do your best. The goal is to raise a generation of understanding adults who accept people for their individuality.

At Doona, we are committed to making parenting simple for every type of family. That is why we created the innovative Doona Car Seat and Stroller, which transforms from car seat to stroller in seconds, and the Liki Trike, the most compact folding toddler trike on the market, designed to grow with your child from 10 to 36 months.