Dear Friends,
We grieve and stand in solidarity and mourning over the tragic murders of George Floyd, Breona Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others.
We are inspired by those protesting for change. In the midst of this global pandemic, we might feel at a loss of how to help but every person and every organization can do something to make this better and to support Black lives. Racism and implicit bias have devastating effects on everyone, including our children.
One action step we can take is to find ways to speak to children about race, to educate them, and to help raise them as anti-racists.
Below we share resources for parents of young children.
Sesame Street- Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism: Sesame Street/CNN will air their town hall on Saturday at 10am. Consider recording it, previewing it, and then watching and talking with your children.
“These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest toYour Kids: The Conversation About Race Needs to Start Early and Keep Happening” an article in the NYTimes by Jessica Grose
Raising Race Conscious Children: They offer a 1.5 hr workshop in which participants develop confidence and strategies for talking about race with young children.
Parent Toolkit How to Talk to Kids About Race and Racism
Beyond the Golden Rule: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice: A Teaching Tolerance publication that begins with practical, actionable tips for parents of children ages 2-5.
Teaching Tolerance- Lessons: These are lesson plans, which we filtered for grades K-2.
Here we share a list (which is by no means complete) of children’s books that support conversations on race, inclusion, and perspective taking.
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
Whoever You Are by Mem Fox