Navigating Important Conversations
With Your Family
“Anything that's human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting and less scary.”- Fred Rogers
As adults continue to figure out how to process our own feelings and the constant information being shared about the many issues facing our country and families, so too are the children. Our hope is that the resources below will help in navigating these conversations.
CNN & Sesame Street Town Halls
Sesame Street is once again guiding the way for important conversations with even the youngest of family members. On April 25th, CNN and Sesame Street hosted a Town Hall to answer questions about the coronavirus. This Saturday at 10am, tune into CNN for the second installment, "Coming Together: Standing up to Racism," cohosted by Big Bird and CNN'S Van Jones and Erica Hill. Throughout the town hall, they will be joined by Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and Rosita -- and other experts answering questions submitted by family members.
EmbraceRace works to create tools, resources, discussion spaces, and networks needed to meet 4 goals: 1. nurture resilience in children of color; 2. nurture inclusive, empathetic children of all stripes; 3. raise kids who think critically about racial inequity; and 4. support a movement of kid and adult racial justice advocates for all children.
EmbraceRace.org provides a wide array of resources, including live webinars on a range of topics. Coming soon:
Friday, June 5th at 5:30 pm PT/ 8:30 pm ET
(collated 6/2/20 by Grace families, staff, and community members)
For Parents:
The children's book Something Happened in Our Town is included in the above book list from embracerace.org. Something Happened in Our Town has been recommended by parents in Grade 1 as a particularly good resource to discuss issues of racial injustice/police brutality. This book includes a parent and caregiver guide to help with age appropriate dialogue.
https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race
https://childrensalliance.org/resource/talking-about-racism-resources-parents-and-caregivers
https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/kids-discrimination
https://blog.leeandlow.com/2014/07/27/talking-to-kids-about-current-events-and-conflicts/
https://onbeing.org/blog/the-conversation-we-must-have-with-our-white-children/
For Educators:
Affirming Black Lives Without Inducing Trauma
Being There for Non-Binary Youth
Bias and Stigma Related to COVID-19
Black and Asian Leaders - What if We Unite?
Discussing Race and Racism with Students
Liberate Meditation App for BIPOC
Resources for Talking About Race, Racism, and Racialized Violence with Kids
Talking to Kids about Discrimination
Talking to Kids about Racial Violence
Books For Littles - Igniting luminaries - the next generation of kind & brilliant leaders
Helping Families Thrive in Challenging Times
Katherine Reynolds Lewis, author of The Good News About Bad Behavior and certified parent educator with the Kensington, MD PEP program, is participating in this live masterclass series this summer. Katherine visited Grace in November to share about her book and talk with parents,. Katherine, along with other parenting experts, neuroscientists, authors, and educators, have joined together to create this 8 week series, beginning June 10th, in order to share strategies and ideas for how you and your family can thrive this summer and begin to prepare for what lies ahead.
Parenting in Place Masterclass begins Wednesday, June 10 at 8pm EST- Early bird price of $29, after June 10 cost is $39
I Have a Question About Coronavirus: Clear Answers for All Kids
Check out this WTOP article for more information about this free book written by two local women
*This book is written in two formats in order to be accessible to a wider range of ages and abilities. Scroll through the whole document to find the format best suited for your child.