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Several ExchangeEveryDay readers shared a New York Times article, "We May Be Born With an Urge to Help."  The article observes that biologists now are suggesting that "babies are innately social and helpful to others." 

From as early as 12 months infants will help adults find things; at 18 months they will come to the assistance of adults by opening doors or picking up dropped objects.  This helping behavior "seems to be innate because it appears so early and before many parents start teaching children the rules of polite behavior."

"As children grow older, they become more selective in their helpfulness.  Starting around age 3, they will share more generously with a child who was previously nice to them."  At about the same age children also start to develop a sense of social norms.  "Children not only feel they should obey these rules themselves, but also that they should make others in the group do the same. Even 3-year-olds are willing to enforce social norms.

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In the powerful Exchange resource, Hearing Everyone's Voice: Educating Young Children for Peace and Democratic Community, teachers and parents and children share stories of their struggles to build a democratic community by learning the many ways there are to hear each other given differences in age, ethnicity, gender, culture, and economic background. Filled with practical curriculum ideas,this guidebook integrates peace education, anti-bias perspective, and democratic practice into your curriculum.

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