Our young people are growing up in a very different world than any of us over 40 every experienced as youth. Most of our children interact daily with other children from diverse cultural, racial and theological backgrounds. Though we may try to shield them from disturbing news about racial tensions escalating in our country, our children absorb the anxiety of those around them and want to better understand. As parents and fellow Christians we can help educate our children to be better equipped to respond.
Below are some resources the Nativity Social Justice Advocacy Group has put together.
Children’s Books
26 CHILDREN’S BOOKS TO SUPPORT CONVERSATIONS ON RACE, RACISM & RESISTANCE Great book list from Embrace Race non-profit.
37 Children’s Books to help talk about Racism & Discrimination Extensive list put together by Colours of Us out of South Africa
How to Talk to Kids about Race: Books and Resources That Can Help
From ReadBrightly.com, this article and book list includes resources for both adults and youth regarding the issue of race. Established in 2014, Brightly is an online resource to help parents raise enthusiastic readers. Launched in partnership with Penguin Random House, Brightly features book recommendations from small and large publishing houses, reading tips for children of every age and development, seasonal lists, essays from authors, and more.
Organizations:
EmbraceRace: is part of a larger movement for racial and social justice. They provide discussion groups, resources (including recommended children’s books) and tools to assist those working with children of all racial identities.
Teaching Tolerance: is a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, founded in 1991 to prevent the growth of hate. Their mission is “mission is to help teachers and schools educate children and youth to be active participants in a diverse democracy.”
How white parents should talk to their young kids about race
Articles:
How to Talk to Kids about Race: Books and Resources That Can Help
Article from Slate.com that delves into the psychology of how children acquire racial biases and what white parents, in particular, can do to combat that.
How to Raise Race-Conscious Children
BuzzFeed article written by Erin N. Winkler, an associate professor of Africology and Urban Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she has also served on the advisory boards of Childhood and Adolescent Studies, providing a concrete, actionable list of things adults can do to help raise race-conscious children.
Raising Race Conscious Children
Teaching Young Children about Race: A Guide for Parents and Teachers
From the organization Teaching for Change, a short article on ideas for teaching young children about race including strategies for talking about differences, and how to foster critical thinking and respectful relationships. Teaching for Change operates from the belief that schools can provide students the skills, knowledge and inspiration to be citizens and architects of a better world. The website has substantial resources for teachers and students.
Children Are Not Colorblind: How Young Children Learn Race
Review of clinical studies by Dr. Erin Winkler, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, that indicate that research clearly shows that children not only recognize race from a very young age, but also develop racial biases by ages three to five that do not necessarily resemble the racial attitudes of adults in their lives. Also included are recommendations for caregivers on how to combat this biases.
Raising Social Justice Warriors (Written by both women of color and allies, this series covers a lot of topics in an easy to read format.)