Here are some resources to help parents talk to their kids about what's happening in the U.S. today with racism and protesting.
CNN and Sesame Street teamed up for a special kids town hall. Click to watch the top moments from CNN's "Coming Together: Standing Up To Racism."
From the New York Times, Talking to Kids About Racism:
- Be honest with yourself and with your children. When talking about racism, it’s important for parents to also check their own thoughts for biases, unconscious or not.
- Have diverse books around for children to read
- Allow for questions even when you don’t know the answers.
- If speaking with black children, let them know their lives matter and encourage their whole identity.
From Healthline, How to Talk to Your Kids About Injustice, Racism, and Protests:
- Experts say positive discussions about race and racism are important to have with children right now — especially in homes where this hasn’t been a topic of discussion before.
- It’s important to help children understand that there are people in this world who judge others unfairly based on their skin color, and to be honest with them about why people are protesting right now.
- Focusing on the historical context of how protests have led to change in the past can help kids better understand and react with less fear.
From Parents Toolkit, How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism:
- Actually talk about it.
- Set the example
- Help your child navigate their curiosity
- Make it relatable
- Be open about addressing mistakes
- Be an advocate
Additional resources:
Parents.com: Anti-Racism for Kids: An Age-by-Age Guide to Fighting Hate
Center for Racial Justice in Education: Resources for Talking About Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids
Today's Parent: 30 books to help you talk to your kids about racism
Culture Amp: One Black employee’s answer to “How can I help?”
Good Morning America: Kindergarten Teacher Makes Video to Teach Kids About Race
CBS News: How to talk to your kids about racism, according to a child psychologist
ABC 13 - WSET: Parents stroll for peace in Lynchburg to educate their children about protests, racism
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