The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors (CWCS) has curated the list of resources below to help parents and educators more confidentially talk with children about racism, bias, difference and the importance of inclusion.
Talking to Children About Racial Bias, The American Academy of Pediatrics (APA)
Given the tragic and racially-charged current events, many parents are wrestling with their own feelings, the hopes they have for their children, and the difficulty of helping those children thrive.
Parents may better face today’s challenges with an understanding of how racial bias works in children, as well as strategies to help them understand racial differences. Click here for a comprehensive guide from the APA about talking with children about racial bias.
Connecticut State Education Resource Center (SERC)
SERC has worked to shed light on race and racism in education, studying the intersection of race and culture with educational achievement, special education, and student outcomes and success. They maintain a variety of publications and videos about equity. Click here to view their website.
How to Combat a Negative Climate by Promoting Respect and Understanding
In the aftermath of the August 2017 events in Charlottesville, Virginia, social and emotional learning (SEL) is more relevant to the education of American children than ever. Research tells us that children and adolescents take their cues from adults. As adults, we set the tone for what is acceptable in our society, and this contributes in powerful ways to the social norms of our schools’ culture. Check out this new resource page from CASEL that includes how to talk with students about Charlottesville and more.
EmbraceRace
EmbraceRace is a multiracial community of parents, teachers, experts, and other caring adults who support each other to meet the challenges that race poses to our children, families, and communities. Once a month they offer a free, online series providing information, insights, and resources to caregivers on a range of topics related to race and children. Click here to view their website.
Raising Race Conscious Children
Raising Race Conscious Children is a resource to support adults who are trying to talk about race with young children. This website offers resources, webinars, workshops and an active blog and social media presence. Many of the blog posts are geared toward White people but a community of guest bloggers represent diverse backgrounds and the strategies discussed may be helpful for all. Click here to view their website.
Teaching Tolerance
Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators—teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners—who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use their materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants. For free lesson plans and teaching strategies click here.
The National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY)
NNSTOY seeks to improve student learning across the nation by defining, sharing and advocating for effective teaching practices and policies. In August of 2017 they released a comprehensive list of over 200 books, sorted by grade level, to teach social justice and create equitable learning environments. View their reading list here.
Additional Helpful Articles
