Learning to Speak Up
Dandy: “Cookie, if you break your tent, I’m going to take your building blocks away.”
Cookie: “If you take my toys, I’m going to take all your petals (aka pants) AND leaves (read shirts) away. For real!”
Well, that escalated quickly.
Kids have an incredible sense of fairness—raw, honest, and straight from the heart. Unlike adults, who tend to filter fairness through experiences, cultural conditioning, and rules, kids just see it for what it is. We, on the other hand, often accept a lot of unfairness simply because we feel like we can’t change it.
Think about it—
Not everyone gets the same shot at education, healthcare, or jobs. Some people have to work twice as hard just to get a fraction of the opportunities others are born into. That’s not fair.
Then there’s money. A tiny percentage of people control most of the world’s wealth, while so many struggle to get by. The rich get richer, the poor stay stuck, and the cycle just keeps going. Also not fair.
And what about animals? They lose their homes to deforestation, get trapped in factory farms, or used for entertainment—all without a say in the matter. Definitely not fair.
So, how do we help kids speak up for fairness?
Start by encouraging their questions. Kids ask a lot of “why” questions—why things are the way they are, why someone got left out, why animals are treated a certain way. Instead of brushing them off with, “That’s just how it is,” we can turn those moments into conversations about fairness.
Model fairness in everyday life. Whether it’s sharing, taking turns, or standing up for what’s right, kids learn by watching us. When they see fairness in action, they understand it better.
Help them find their voice. Let them know it’s okay to speak up when something doesn’t feel right—whether it’s standing up for a friend, helping someone, or even just saying how they feel. Their voice matters.
Stories help too. Books and stories about kindness, standing up for what’s right, and making a difference can be a great way to inspire kids and get them thinking.
And it starts at home. Simple things like letting everyone have a turn choosing a game, talking through family decisions together, or making sure chores are split fairly can teach kids that fairness isn’t just a big idea—it’s something we practice every day.
Helping kids understand fairness gives them the confidence to stand up, speak out, and maybe even create a world where nobody has to take all the pants and shirts to make a point!