Resources for Talking to Children About Racial Bias

In light of recent events, parents and caregivers may be wrestling with how to answer children’s questions and address their concerns around racial injustice and the resulting trauma in our communities.

Here are some resources to help frame the conversation and pointers to guide how you may choose to approach these difficult conversations. It is our hope that today’s children grow to be leaders that are empathetic, resilient, and respectful of all the beautiful diversity that enriches our world.

RESOURCES

Strategies to Help Children Deal with Racial Bias

There are three strategies that parents can use to help their children deal with racial bias:

Talk to your children and acknowledge that racial differences and bias exist.

Confront your own bias and model how you want your children to respond to others who may be different than them.

Encourage your children to challenge racial stereotypes and racial bias by being kind and compassionate when interacting with people of all racial, ethnic, and cultural groups.

1. Racial Justice | Sesame Street in Communities – Sesame Street in Communities (the video above is from this site)
2. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Building-Resilience/Pages/Talking-to-Children-About-Racial-Bias.aspx (Racial Bias Strategies above taken from this site)
3. In solidarity with the Asian American community | Launch (launchlearning.org)
4. Violence Against Asian Americans: How Do We Support the Children? | EmbraceRace
5. Conversations that Matter: Talking with Children About Big World Issues | NAEYC
6. Now Read This! Books that Promote Race, Identity, Agency, and Voice | NAEYC
7. How to Talk to Your Kids About the News and Protect Their Sense of Safety | Safety.com
8. Responding to Current Events – Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (inclusiveva.org)