When we talk about parents being a child’s first teacher, we really mean it. Your child learns from you every day. She learns it from the words she hears and from the actions you take.

One lesson that is important and easily forgotten is to teach about different races. Lessons about different races form the views we have as adults. It is these lessons that children learn in the early years that form their prejudices and their lack of prejudice that they develop as adults.

We used to think that it was better not to talk about other races and in that way, your child would grow up without prejudice. We now know that it doesn’t work that way at all. To help your child understand people of other races, you need to talk to her about race.

Studies show that when parents talk openly with their children about race, the results are the same as when parents started to talk openly with their children about what women and girls were capable of doing.

There are many easy ways to talk with your child about this issue. If there are minority children in her class or in her neighborhood that opens a chance to talk about this issue. You can check out books that have children of different races in them so you have another way to bring up the subject.

If you read the newspaper, stories about racial issues are there with pictures. Even using the comic strips that are illustrated with people of different races can be helpful.

Whatever tool you use, be sure to talk about racial issues in ways your child understands.

If you talk about treating people equally, that may be difficult to understand for your young child.

If you talk about how people are alike and that the differences are small, that is easier for her to understand.

If she brings up the fact that the boy down the street has red hair that is a good way to talk about the differences and the similarities.

If you know a family who has a child of a different race than your child, make sure your child has a chance to meet and play with this child. You are lucky to be able to introduce your child to another child from a different race.

Young children notice the differences in others. Answer their questions. Don’t be silent on this important topic. Children under 5 years may notice and point out the differences in people. As a parent, you have the chance to gently lay the foundation of their view of people of different races.

Use language that is age-appropriate and easy for them to understand. If your child asks question you can talk about how people do indeed look different but you can point out things we have in common.

Be open about this issue with your child. Make it clear you are always open to your child’s questions and welcome their questions. Don’t make your child feel this is a taboo subject. Encourage her to ask questions.

As your child gets older, talk about racism as unfair and unacceptable. Remember, it’s okay to not have all the answers.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation.