↑

Preschool Inspirations

Preschool Activities and Learning

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Disclosure Policy, Copyright Items, and Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • My Book
  • Shop
  • Music
  • Science
  • Literacy
  • Math
  • Fine Motor

How I Explained Down Syndrome to My Daughter

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links from Amazon or other programs are used on this website. See my disclosure policy here.

August 17, 2017 by Katie T. Christiansen 4 Comments

On my daughter’s first day of school, I dropped her off into her classroom. Right away, I noticed that she was seated next to a girl with Down syndrome. I kissed her goodbye, and I started to prepare myself for the questions that are inevitable. Thankfully, I had the day to think about it while she was at school.

How I explained about the girl with Down syndrome to my daughter.

How was I going to explain Down syndrome to her? Should I use medical terms? Do I make it short or long? Most importantly, how would I help her connect with this little girl who has so many thoughts and feelings just like her?

How I Explained Down Syndrome to My Daughter

My daughter came home from school, and I couldn’t wait to hear all about what happened on her first day. I kept waiting for the moment that she might bring up the girl in her class with Down syndrome. My head had been spinning with different things to say, but I hadn’t come up with an answer that I thought would be just right. So I felt a sigh of relief when it didn’t come up that night.

The day did finally come when my daughter mentioned the girl who sat next to her.

Book cover for the Best Preschool Learning Activities

Get the best learning activities for 3-5 year olds at your fingertips

See inside the book!

She said, “Mom, there’s something different about Erica.” It was an accurate description I decided. My own daughter has a physical difference herself, so I felt a sense of relief that our talks about how people don’t all look the same had been sinking in.

Then she asked, “Mom, how come Erica is hard to understand when she speaks?”

I wished that I had come up with a perfect answer by this time, but  I just had to go with what was on my heart. “Erica has Down syndrome, honey.”

“What’s that, mom?”

“Well, do you notice how Erica is happy all the time and smiles a lot?”

“Yeah, she does. You’re right, mom.”

“People with Down syndrome are filled with happiness. They don’t see the world the way that we do. They see the really good things in life, and it makes them smile.”

“That’s pretty cool, mom.”

“You’re right! It is really cool. It’s so nice to be around people who are filled with so much happiness and joy.”

I didn’t know if my answer was enough. But as a mom of a child with special needs, I do understand that children with differences all want to be seen for who they are. They want to play with other children and to have conversations about their favorite television shows. What they want most is live as “normally” as possible. They need to know that they are more than just their difference.

My daughter didn’t talk much about Erica throughout the rest of the year. Once school was out for the summer, we started heading to the local pool. My daughter always found classmates to play with when we went, and she looked forward to that each time.

On one occasion she was extra insistent that I come see her friend from school. After gathering all of our pool supplies that we had camped out at the toddler area, I headed with her to the other side of the pool. “Mom, this is my friend, Erica.” I realized right away that it was Erica from her class.

Erica looked at me and said something that I couldn’t quite understand. “Mom, she said she likes mermaids.” Then I noticed the mermaid Erica was holding in her hand. “I can understand Erica really well, Mom,” my daughter said.

At that moment I realized that she had taken the time to get to know Erica as a person. She didn’t see her as different or weird or as a child with Down syndrome. Erica was her friend. She was another child who liked to play with mermaids — just like her.

 

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Katie T. Christiansen
Katie T. Christiansen
Creator at Preschool Inspirations
Katie has spent 17 combined years in the Early Childhood field as a teacher, preschool owner, and educational writer. She has worked in profit and non-profit programs, high-risk schools, and started an in-home preschool and outdoor collaborative preschool program. She adores being a mom to three children, and her youngest is currently in preschool.
Katie T. Christiansen
Latest posts by Katie T. Christiansen (see all)
  • Thanksgiving Ten Frame Counting Mats - November 17, 2024
  • Easy Outdoor Color Changing Volcano with Baking Soda and Vinegar - September 10, 2024
  • Rainbow Sensory Bottle - March 3, 2024
11 shares
  • Share3
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Parenting, Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Cheryl says

    August 18, 2017 at 7:33 am

    Children are amazing. Your daughter is a very sweet child. She took the time to get to know another child with differences. Beautiful!

    Reply
  2. Joann says

    March 21, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    The way you answered your daughter was perfect. Out of the mouth of Babes. Thanks for telling us.

    Reply
  3. Mary says

    August 5, 2022 at 6:17 pm

    Your explanation was sweet but not factual. People with Down syndrome are no more or less happy than other people. This video covers it well.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDej-aZ2T4s&ab_channel=SarahRoberts-Don%27tBeSorry

    Reply
    • T says

      December 30, 2022 at 12:35 pm

      I was thinking similarly as I work with a child with Down syndrome & she definitely isn’t happy all the time, even though she’s overall a sweet girl.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I'm Katie, and I'm a veteran preschool teacher, child development research junkie, and mom of three who lives on little sleep and turns my kitchen into an art and science laboratory.

Come on in! I'm sharing my best play recipes, teacher tips, & learning activities with a sprinkling of real life!

My New Book!

Book cover for the Best Preschool Learning Activities

Peaceful Potty Training

cover image for potty training visual schedule

Graduation Certificates

cover image for graduation certificates

search

categories

archives

Copyright ©2025, Preschool Inspirations. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs
  • 3
11 shares