A boy in my 8-year-old daughter's class has a cleft palate. I
know that he has trouble finding friends because other kids —
including my daughter — are wary of his difference. How can I
encourage her to reach out to him so other kids will too? This
is an excellent opportunity for you to teach your daughter about
accepting others. Kids are often sharp observers of physical
appearances and, like your daughter, many are initially wary of
others with noticeable differences. Provide basic information
about cleft palate so your daughter will understand it.
Emphasize that although some kids may look different, they are
just like other children in many ways. Keep it as simple and
direct as possible, perhaps saying something like: "Johnny was
born with an opening on the roof of his mouth, called a cleft
palate. His doctors are working to make it better and he
sometimes has trouble saying certain sounds." Focus on how the
boy is just like other kids, perhaps saying something like,
"He's a good reader like you and likes