Kids, especially young ones, are naturally curious, so when they see someone with a disability, their first instinct is to ask about it. If you see your child staring at someone with a disability, take the lead and start a conversation, but avoid a detailed explanation or a lot of emotion when explaining it. A short and matter-of-fact description will answer your child's questions while showing her that the person has nothing to be ashamed of.

For example, if you see a child with muscular dystrophy in a wheelchair, you can say to your child, "I see you looking at that little girl in the wheelchair, and you might be wondering why she needs it. Some people's muscles work a little differently, and her wheelchair helps her move around, just like your legs help you."

Try to keep your explanations positive. For example, explain that hearing aids help others hear and wheelchairs help others move around, instead of using a negative connotation (he can't hear, she can't walk, etc.)

Children are all similar in many ways, and they are also all different in their own ways. Instead of simply telling your child that a person with a disability can't do something, talk about that individual's strengths, too. Teach your child to look for strengths instead of just focusing on weaknesses. It's important for him to learn that just because someone can't do something, or struggles in one area, it doesn't mean he or she doesn't excel in other areas. Ask your child how he would feel in somebody else's shoes, and how he would want to be treated — and then teach him to treat others the same way. Learning empathy early on is an important life lesson.

For example, if your child has a hearing-impaired classmate, instead of focusing on the fact that he can't hear, also ask him what his classmate is good at (math? running?), and then talk to your child about his own strengths and what he finds to be difficult. Help him see that all humans have their own strengths and weaknesses, and that he should help those just as he would want others to help him in areas with which he struggles.