The loss, injustice and tragedy experienced by our country over these last weeks and months have spurred a larger conversation about racism and inequality in the US. At Good2Know Network, we condemn racism in all forms and recognize that education is an important tool for building a foundation of social justice and anti-racism.
In this article, we share resources, ideas, and tips for having conversations about race with young children. These conversations might feel emotional or challenging, but they are also necessary gateways to understanding and empathy. By discussing injustices we’ve witnessed or experienced and mistakes we have made, we can learn from one another and move toward a more equitable future. As parents and childcare providers we can also help empower children to become next-generation change-makers and champions for social justice.
Talking to children about race can be intimidating for adults. Dr. Erin Winkler is an Associate Professor of Africology and Urban Studies, who has studied the way that children learn about race. Dr. Winkler shares that, “adults often think they should avoid talking with young children about race or racism because doing so would cause them to notice race or make them racist. In fact, the opposite is true.”
She explains that children take in cues from their environment. In early childhood, children notice patterns and are learning to categorize things. They notice differences in skin color, neighborhoods, and communities. For this reason, these conversations are necessary and important. If you are interested in reading more from Dr. Erin Winkler, click here to read her article, Children Are Not Colorblind: How Young Children Learn Race.
4 Things We Should All Teach Kids About Racism Right Now: This article offers clear, developmentally appropriate advice about what, specifically, we can say to children that will teach them to be anti-racist.
Becoming Upended: Teaching and Learning about Race and Racism with Young Children and Their Families: This article shares research-backed information about “learning about race and unlearning racism.” The article includes actionable tips for planning and creating an anti-racist curriculum.
The Brilliance of Black Boys: A short, evidence-based examination of the treatment of black boys in the education system. The book shares research, room for our school systems to grow, and practical advice for educators and the academic community.
Learning Race, Learning Place: Shaping Racial Identities and Ideas in African American Childhoods: In this book, Dr. Erin N. Winkler, seeks to change the way that adults look at how children develop their ideas about race through the introduction of comprehensive racial learning.
Raising Race-Conscious Children: Joanna Gooddard, mother and author, shares her take on raising children to be race-conscious. She shares her journey of moving away from a “colorblind” approach and moving towards a more engaging and accepting model.
Here’s How W. Kamau Bell Talks About Race With His Kids: W. Kamau Bell is a comedian and father of two young daughters. This article shares some of his perspectives from an interview for the podcast The Tell Show, in which he talked about what it’s like to raise inquisitive, mixed-race children.
100 Race-Conscious Things you Can Say to your Child to Advance Racial Justice: This article lists simple, developmentally appropriate things to say to children in a variety of situations in order to get a conversation started about race and respond to children’s questions.
Racism and Violence: Using Your Power as a Parent to Support Children Aged Two to Five from Zero to Three: This article provides thoughts and guidelines for talking about the complex issues of racism and equality in age-appropriate ways with children aged two to five years of age.
7 Things to Do When Your Kid Points Out Someone’s Differences: This article shares ideas for age appropriate ways for parents to respond when their children publicly point out another person’s differences. The author notes that communicating, rather than shaming, will ensure that children are receiving the right message.
10 tips for Teaching and Talking to Kids about Race: Parents of all backgrounds will find tips to talk to children about race in this article.
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