Why are people all different?

Look around a busy playground. Tall and small, curly hair and straight, quiet kids and loud ones. Out of all the billions of people on Earth, there is nobody exactly like you. How wonderful! But why is everyone so different?

A mix from your family

Part of you comes from your family. Tiny instructions called genes are passed from parents to children. They help decide things like the colour of your eyes, the shape of your nose and how tall you might grow. That is why you may have your dad’s smile or your grandma’s curls — a special family mix, just for you.

A mix from your life

The other part of you comes from your life — everything you do, see and learn. The places you live, the food you taste, the games you play and the people you meet all shape who you become. Two children can look alike but love totally different things, because each has their own story.

Different is brilliant

Imagine if everyone liked the same food, told the same jokes and had the same ideas — how boring! Our differences mean some people invent, some sing, some build, some care. Together, all our different gifts make the world richer, kinder and more fun.

Wonder fact: Even identical twins, who share the same genes, have totally different fingerprints — so there really is only one you!