Here are 9 of the best songs for teaching young children about different cultures, different perspectives and different ways of being human.
Teaching tolerance and diversity to kids is an ongoing process, both in the classroom and at home.
Using the power of music, introducing simple diversity activities and reading books about diversity are all great ways to encourage children to practise tolerance, kindness and respect for others.
These songs about diversity all have links to YouTube and the lyrics are listed below.
1. People are Rainbows Too by The Kiboomers
Sung to the tune of the rainbow song, this diversity song was written for pride month, to help teach kids about the different ways that families identify and love one another.
Verse 1:
Black and white and gold and brown
People are colors too
We are just like rainbows
Many rainbows
People are rainbows too
Chorus:
Look with your eyes
Look all around
And sing everything you see
People are like rainbows
Many rainbows
Sing along with me
Verse 2:
Mom and Mommy or Daddy and Dad
They make parents too
We are just like rainbows
Many rainbows
People are rainbows too
Chorus
Verse 3:
Mom and Mommy or Daddy and Dad
One Mommy or one Daddy too!
We are just like rainbows
Many rainbows
People are rainbows too
We are just like rainbows
Many rainbows
People are rainbows too
2. We’re All Amazing! by London Rhymes
This song was written in response to the Black Lives Matter protests across the world. It’s about how the different parts of us are what make us unique and special.
Verse 1:
My eyes are blue,
My eyes are green,
My eyes are brown… they’re part of me,
I speak English, I speak Urdu,
I speak in Yoruba, how about you?
Chorus:
We’re all amazing, all these parts of me,
We’re all amazing, all these parts of you,
We are different each of us, it’s what makes us precious,
So love yourself… We’re all amazing!
Verse 2:
My hair is short, my hair is straight,
My hair is curly… it’s really great!
Sometimes I’m quiet… sometimes I shout!
Sometimes I’m giggly… there is no doubt
Chorus
Verse 3:
I walk with sticks, I’ve got my chair,
I use my legs… to get everywhere,
My skin is dark, my skin is light,
My skin is freckly, we all shine bright!
Chorus
Verse 4:
What are the parts that make you you?
What are the parts that make me me?
We are different but we’re one,
And we can live in harmony…
Chorus
3. Hello to All the Children of the World by Happy Okapi
Hello to All the Children of the World, originally by Nancy Klein and Pam Beall, has a catchy tune and a chorus with “hello” in various languages that kids can memorise with some practice.
Chorus:
Hello, bonjour, buenos dias
Good day, guten-Tag, konichiwa
Ciao, shalom, do-brey dien
Hello to all the children of the world
Verse 1:
We live in different places, from all around the world
We speak in many different ways
Though some things might be different, we’re children just the same
And we all like to sing and play
Chorus
Verse 2:
There are children in the deserts and children in the towns
And children who live down by the sea
If we could meet each other, to run and sing and play
Then what good friends we all could be
Chorus
4. The Color of My Face by The Treebees
This song is about race and how it tells a story of our heritage and that we are part of something bigger – a community.
Verse 1:
I’m thankful for my color
It’s part of who I am
My family gave it to me
And their families before them.
It lets me know I’m part of something
Bigger than me
It reminds me where I come from
My community
Chorus:
That’s the color of my face
Everyone is special
From each and every place
Every color
We embrace
It’s part of who we are
It’s what we celebrate
My face! (Repeat 8 times)
Verse 2:
Sometimes our color’s different
Sometimes they are the same
No matter what your color
No matter what your name
It lets me know you’re part of something
Bigger than me
It lets me some more about your
Diversity
Chorus
5. So Many Colors, So Many Shapes by The Singing Walrus
This song teaches kids that people come in different colours and shapes, yet share the same hearts.
Verse 1
In this big, big world
There is only one me
I like all my colours
Of my eyes, of my hair, of my skin
(Repeat)
Chorus
So many colours
So many shapes
We all look different
But our hearts are all the same
So many colours
So many shapes
We all look different
So come on everybody, let’s celebrate
Verse 2
In this big, big world
There is only one me
I like all my shapes
Everything from my head to my feet
In this big, big world
There is only one you
I like all your shapes
Everything from your head to your feet
Verse 3
In this big, big world
We are one family
Everywhere I go
People sing, people dance, just like me!
In this big, big world
We are one family
Everywhere we go
We can share, we can play, we can sing
6. Yes I Can! by London Rhymes
This song gently attempts to break down gender stereotypes and inspires children to be whoever they want to be, regardless of their gender.
Verse 1:
I can zoom fast,
I can climb high,
I can be a superhero…
Watch me fly!
I can be brave,
I can be kind,
I can be a rock star…
Watch me shine!
Chorus:
Yes I can, yes I can,
I can be anything, Yes I can,
Yes I can, yes I can,
I can be anything, Yes I can!
Verse 2:
I can be a boy,
I can be a girl,
I can be a ballerina…
Watch me twirl!
I can sit still,
I can explore,
I can be a fiery dragon…
Watch me ROAR!
Chorus (Repeat to end)
7. Everybody is Different by Kidloom
A song to teach kids about appreciating and celebrating our differences.
Verse 1:
Curly hair,
Wavy or long,
Straight or spiky,
Brown or blonde.
Tall or short.
Strong or weak,
Skinny or chubby,
That is me!
Chorus:
Everybody’s different,
And that’s ok.
Everybody’s different.
Hooray!
Verse 2:
Fringe or freckles
Chubby cheeks,
Glasses, braces,
Look good on me!
Dark or brown,
Lightly tanned,
Fair skin is what I’ve got!
Chorus x 2
8. If You’re Happy and You Know It by Barefoot Books
This is a fun, multicultural version of the classic preschool song. It shows multiracial children in all different settings around the world and ends with singing “hello” in multiple languages.
Verse 1:
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands x2
If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
Replace “clap your hands” with these actions for subsequent verses:
Stamp your feet
Turn around
Wiggle your hips
Stretch your arms
Pat your head
Touch your nose
Point your toes
Shout hello
Final Verse:
Say hello! Konnichiwa! Bon jour! Privyet! Ni Hao! Kalimera! Jambo!
Hao! Guten Tag! Namaste! Selam! Buongiorno! Hola! Vaanga!
9. We’re All Fruit Salad! By The Wiggles
This fun song about how many different fruits it takes to make a fruit salad is the perfect multicultural song and metaphor for diversity and living in harmony with each other.
I hope you’ll enjoy introducing your kids to these songs about diversity and inclusion.
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