Fairness means making sure that no one is excluded and that everyone receives equal treatment. Young people often view fairness through the lens of their daily experiences, whether it's in school, sports, or social interactions. Research shows that by the age of 3, children begin to understand the norms of equality and fairness, and they express the belief that resources should be shared equally among themselves and their peers.
The All About Fairness handout explains why fairness is important and how to demonstrate it. The handout includes examples, strategies, and self-reflective questions to guide clients in being fair in their actions.
Using this handout as part of their routine helps kids and teens create a fairer, more inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Parents and teachers can serve as role models by demonstrating fairness in their actions and encouraging the same in children. They can reinforce fair and kind behavior by praising or rewarding it with small incentives like stamps, extra break time, stickers, or treats.
Our Fairness Worksheets are excellent add-ons to this handout.
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References:
- Chajes, J. R., Grossmann, T., & Vaish, A. (2022). Fairness takes time: Development of cooperative decision making in fairness context. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 216, 105344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2021.105344
- Li, J., Wang, W., Yu, J., & Zhu, L. (2016). Young children’s development of fairness preference. Frontiers in Psychology, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01274
- Schunk, D., & Zipperle, I. (2023). Fairness and inequality acceptance in children and adolescents: A survey on behaviors in economic experiments. Journal of Economic Surveys, 37(5), 1715-1742. https://doi.org/10.1111/joes.12553
