Racism, Outrage, and Grief: Helping Kids Make Sense of It All
The last ten days have been difficult for all of us. Not only are we dealing with the COVID pandemic but we are also witnessing events here in Seattle and around the country that are tough to see and talk about.
Children are witnessing scenes on TV and across social media that we have not seen on this scale before. Children are naturally curious and may be asking questions about what they have seen. If finding answers is difficult for adults, imagine what’s going on in the mind of a child.
In our effort to help parents with these difficult conversations we stumbled upon a recent article, How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism, in which the authors discuss ways to help children understand the underlying issues of race and racism.
How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism via ParentToolkit.com
“There’s no question: talking about race can be sensitive, and yes, even a bit messy. And “choosing” whether or not to talk to your kids about race is an option many parents, specifically those of color, don’t have; some children may inevitably learn about it by confronting racism in their everyday lives.
This can make the “conversation about race” even trickier, as what is discussed can change depending on a variety of factors, such as a family’s make up, their socioeconomic class, or the community they live in. Therefore, the context will vary, depending on who is talking and what their personal experiences are with race and racism.
For additional information, check out these resources:
Talking to Kids About Racism, Early and Often - New York Times
How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids - Common Sense Media
All the best,
Peggy and Sally
PCI-Certified Parent Coaches, Hallowell Todaro ADHD