Talking About Race and Racism Resources for Parents
For additional resources for adults seeking to deepen their understanding of race, racism, and anti-racism work, visit this playlist for parents/caregivers.
Need something else?
Need another resource? Looking for advice? Please contact Kathy Pittenger.
Anti-Racism
Children are never too young to begin and continue the conversation about race and racism. These playlists are designed for parents who may be nervous about talking about race with their kids. There are two playlists, one for younger children and one for older children. Resources about talking about anti-racism with children are plentiful. When you have worked through these, be encouraged to find more resources to continue the conversation.
THROUGH THE LENS OF FAITH
Our faith can be informed by many things. Part of the Methodist heritage is a way to understand and make decisions is through Scripture, Experience, Reason, and Tradition. The Deep Blue Life: Faith and Culture – Anti-Racism sessions focus on teaching children about empathy, culture, race, and prejudice. They are designed for classroom use, but can easily be adapted for discussion at home about anti-racism from a faith perspective.
YOUNGER CHILDREN (birth – age 5)
Buy or Borrow a book written by a person of color or one that features a person of color. There is a list in the book section below to help get you started.
Teach your child about Black History – start with these resources from PBS
Watch this video from Sesame Street as Gordon reads the book We’re Different, We’re the Same
Explore these 10 tips for teaching and talking to kids about race from embracerace.org
ELEMENTARY AGE CHILDREN
Buy or borrow a book written by a person of color and/or that features a person of color. There is a list in the book section below to help you get started.
Learn about black history through videos and interactive lessons from PBS Learning Media.
Review this list of 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice. Pick one thing to start with.
Watch this Read Aloud: The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton. Discuss the question at the end of the video.
Use the parent resources like this one, Raising Race-Conscious Children, to learn about talking about race, racism, and anti-racism with your children.
BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
31 Children’s books to support conversations of race, racism and resistance
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Anti-Racism for Kids 101: Starting to Talk About Race
Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup
“They’re Not Too Young to Talk about Race” (The Children’s Community School)
Talking with our children about race (Wendy Claire Barrie)
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown – Brené with Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist (Podcast)
How to Teach Kids About Race – resource for parents and educators around race and culture; broken down by different age groups. (Online MSW Programs)