Raising race-conscious children

parents reading a book to their baby

Resources for addressing race and racism at home.

What our children believe and how they see the world is shaped by the environment in which they are raised. Children as young as three years old can develop racial biases and preferences just like adults, and draw much of what they believe from the shows they watch, the books they read, and the people around them. Exposing your children to diverse viewpoints, people, and stories early on can help them develop key emotional skills, such as empathy and open-mindedness, and build a strong foundation from which to keep learning. 

For some parents, talking and thinking about race can be daunting. But not addressing race can be damaging. “The worst conversation adults can have with kids about race is no conversation at all,” says author Jemar Tisby. Children need to learn how to grapple with difficult feelings and question their beliefs before they go to preschool or daycare and interact with people who may or may not look like them. But they need more than books and dolls and television shows. As they age, they’ll look to the adults in their lives for answers. So truly, if we want to address race, we have to start by educating ourselves and modeling the way.

We’ve compiled a list of resources from experts surrounding race and racial justice.

Reading:

Educating ourselves:

X

Educating our children:

Books to Read to Your Children:

0-3 years old:

3-5 years old:

Watching/Listening:

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