Education Organization Compiles Experts’ Advice on How to Talk to Children About Race and Racism
Talking about race or situations involving racism or discrimination can be challenging for caregivers and children, so The Hechinger Report has compiled experts’ advice on the topic in a new article.
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The Hechinger Report - an organization that covers inequality and innovation in education - has put together an article filled with experts’ advice on how to answer children’s questions about the mistreatment of communities of color by police, white privilege, racism, and other topics.
The article cites a caregiver who had texted its author, Jackie Mader, in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police in 2020. The caregiver’s twins understood racism but not why people categorize others by race.
The article noted that research shows it is critical to have such discussions with children because, by kindergarten, children express many of the same racial stereotypes as adults. By talking about race, racism, and differences, parents and teachers can intercept harmful stereotypes and normalize differences.
Experts cited in the article noted that parents should start introducing children at an early age to different races and cultures through books and toys that have diverse characters. Kenya Hameed, a clinical neuropsychologist with New York City’s Learning and Development at the Child Mind Institute, said that age 4 is a good time to start having those discussions.
Mercedes Samudio, a licensed clinical social worker, said that caregivers should take time to face their own biases and learn as much as they can about race and racism before talking to their own children.
“A lot of parents are being forced into this space because of the world and the way things are going,” Samudio said. “So, before parents jump in and answer questions, it’s OK to say, ‘You know, I need to do more reading on this and figure it out and we can talk tomorrow.’”
To read about more topics addressed by experts on the topics of race and racism, check out The Hechinger Report’s article.