Talking to children about race, racism, and police brutality can be intimidating and challenging, but we believe it is imperative in the fight for an anti-racist community. Here are 10 multimedia resources (articles, podcasts, interviews, etc.) to assist parents, teachers, educators, and caregivers in starting and continuing conversations with children.
Articles
UNICEF: Talking to your kids about racism: How to start the important conversation and keep it going, June 9, 2020
Comprehensive and age-specific advice for talking to children about race. Research is based in some scientific background.
PBS: How to Talk Honestly With Children About Racism, June 9, 2020
General advice for talking to younger children. Includes links to outside resources.
VOX: How to talk to kids about racism, explained by a psychologist, June 9, 2020
More specific information about discussing protests and police brutality. Information is provided by a licensed psychologist.
ADL: Race Talk: Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race and Racism
Information and advice for teachers and educators on talking about race during late childhood/early adolescence.
CHLA: Talking With Children About Race and Racism—an Age-by-Age Guide, June 10, 2020
Age-specific, science-based advice from doctors on talking about race with children.
Podcasts
EmbraceRace: Supporting Kids Of Color In the Wake Of Racialized Violence, 2016
Interviews with parents, teachers, and expert guests, including several people of color. Discusses when and how to support children of color in the aftermath of racialized violence.
NPR: How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race, June 4, 2016
Discusses some of the negative consequences of not talking to white children about race and racism.
Resource Lists
EmbraceRace: 20 Picture Books for 2020: Readings to Embrace Race, Provide Solace & Do Good, 2020
A list of picture books to assist in talking to kids about race and racism. Includes Spanish options.
ECEA: Resources for Educators Focusing on Anti-Racist Learning and Teaching, 2015
Resources to assist teachers seeking to cultivate an anti-racist classroom environment. Provides links to many outside sources.
Discussion
NYT: Talking to Children About Race, Policing and Violence, December 7, 2016
A roundtable discussion between New York Times employees who are parents (primarily people of color) about how they talk to their children about race/racism.