WE have had the same questions from my son - where we are living there are not many different races (unfortunately), but his closest friends are of mixed race - one Peruvian and one Cambodian - and he has never noticed any "differences". So, I told him that people can look different but we are all the same underneath - even though we come from different cultures, languages etc.... and it shouldn't affect the way that we treat each other.  So he tries to learn a bit of his friends culture and language and we encourage that.

There are some good books around - "Children Just Like Me" from DK, and "Whoever you are" from Mem Fox (who also wrote the Green Sheep Book that eveyrone loves).  PLus there is a great book I often use called "Questions Children Ask", which helps you with formulating answers to tricky questions.

Get him a map and show him where Pakistan is.  Show him different countries in the world and the different looking people that live in each one.  This is a great time to explain a little about geography and culture, as he has shown an interest in it himself.  You can teach him that his mixed background is exciting and something to be proud of, as he has gained strengths from both sides of his family.

my SIL just married a man who is dark skin and my son keeps calling him black. my hubby said that he is a man and that his family lived in a different part of the world. He also said to my son that in different places people are different colours due to the heat and climiate and a few other things.

If he is old enough to ask that indepth a question I would say he is old enough for the answer. Just let him know that his father is from Pakistan, and then I would be pulling a map of the world out, and showing him different parts of the world, esp Pakistan, and just explaining to him that people are different on the outside.

My son is 3 years old also and like you, we are amazed everday by the complexity of his thoughts. This said, your explanation would have to be according to his understanding.

I am asian, and my husband is caucasian, so our kids are mixed race. In my son's preschool there is a few black kids, a few mixed race kids and a Pakistani. So with the diversity is a norm at this point. One day he came home and told me one of his friends skin is black. I told him that it's because not everyone are alike, just like Daddy has lighter skin than Mommy. And just like Mommy has black hair and Daddy has brown hair. But even though people look different, we're all the same. And so even though his friend has dark skin, he's just like him.. they can run together, play together and even get in trouble together.

Another approach would be to point out things that are different, yet similar. You can take advantage of your child's likes.. if he likes cars, then maybe you can point out that though he has many many different kids of cars, they are all cars - having tires, doors, etc. Or there are different kids and colors of flowers, but they all are plants.. etc.

Good luck!

I think your child might benifit from childrens books about differences, and or diversity.  If you go to your local library and talk to the childrens librarian they may be able to help you find some good books.  It is important that you explain to your child that everyone is different in some way, and that this is okay.  You can proably not go into to much depth, but hopefully you can find a book that can help you.