Below you'll find lists of resources to support conversations and actions that help us create a more equitable and inclusive community and world.
Have resources you'd like to share for possible inclusion here? Let us know!
Gender Spectrum works to create gender-sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens, has a great Facebook page full of videos featuring youth, parents, educators, professionals, faith leaders, and others talking about gender inclusivity.
Check out this list of books (picture + middle grade) with transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive kids portrayed--and learn about one person’s experience parenting a non-binary kid.
Reflection Press is another great source of gender inclusive support. From their website: “Reflection Press is a POC queer and trans owned independent publisher of radical and revolutionary children’s books and works that expand cultural and spiritual awareness. Our books and materials center Indigenous/POC communities and hold a holistic, nature-based perspective intent on empowering the people by stepping beyond the confines of Western culture.” High Five Books carries some RP titles; so does the library. You’ll find the full catalog of titles on RP’s site, along with tips for talking with kids, coloring and activity books, and a bunch of fantastic free printouts (coloring/activity pages, posters, readers guides, etc).
Lindsay Amer writes, produces, and co-hosts Queer Kid Stuff, an LGBTQ+ educational webseries for ages three and up that breaks down complexities of gender and sexuality through songs (and Lindsay’s best stuffed friend, Teddy!). Amer also performs QKS music and stories at schools, museums, libraries, and community centers and speaks frequently on the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion in children’s media and education.
Gender Inclusive Classrooms is a project of local teachers Kieran Slattery and Katy Butler, who are dedicated to equipping educators with the tools they need to foster safe, welcoming gender-inclusive classrooms.
Amherst-based EmbraceRace is “a multiracial community of parents, teachers, experts, and other caring adults who support each other to meet the challenges that race poses to our children, families, and communities.” Along with a ton of great articles and children’s book recs, they offer fantastic monthly webinars. Consider tuning in—and follow them on Facebook if you’d like. Also, check out a recent WBUR interview with ER founders Melissa Giraud and Andrew Grant-Thomas on the inspiration behind EmbraceRace and the importance of talking about race and racism with our kids.
Raising Race Conscious Children (“it starts one conversation at a time”) features a blog, including the post 100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say to Your Child to Advance Racial Justice, and links to virtual workshops.
The Center for Racial Justice in Education offers comprehensive Resources for Talking About Race, Racism, and Racialized Violence with Kids, a list that is continually updated.
Talking about race with our kids gives them context for what they’re seeing and experiencing, helps them understand what’s at the root of acts of racism, and supports us all in working to end the cruelty.
REAL (Racial Equity & Learning) is an NEF-funded project that brings together Northampton teachers, staff, students, and caregivers committed to developing an anti-racist school district. The group is open to everyone with a connection to Northampton public schools. Check out the Resources and Calendar sections of the site, and join if you’d like.
Self-Evident Media is an exciting educational project created by Florence’s Michael Lawrence that helps students dig into the history of race in the U.S. so they can fully understand American history and who we are as a country.
Podcast fans, check out this list of eight podcast episodes that offer insight for parents/caregivers on talking with kids about race. It also includes podcast suggestions for kids.
Here are some resources to help us analyze children’s books for racism, sexism, and ableism. Also, remember that encountering various -isms in books with our kids can spark meaningful conversations. (“I notice that the kid with the wheelchair always looks happier than the kids without wheelchairs. I wonder why the illustrator made that choice? Do you think any person is happy all of the time?”)
In looking at racial and ethnic representation in children’s books, there continues to be plenty of room for progress. But good change is happening. Listen to award-winning, Noho-based children's book writer/illustrator Grace Lin talk about the importance of all kids being able to see themselves reflected in what they read.
When a Bully is President: Truth and Creativity for Oppressive Times is a great book, available at our local library (text in Spanish and English), that aims to encourage and mobilize youth rather than depress and sideline them in a world where injustice plays out in their own lives and all around them.
"What Activism Can Teach Kids About Life" (Outside Magazine) is a good read on the topic of helping our kids advocate for themselves and others and issues that are important to them.
Looking for kids’ books that depict a variety of holidays and traditions? Try searching the Diverse Book Finder’s collection by holiday name, or use filters to explore books by religion, ethnicity, race/culture, setting, and more. And don’t forget that our local CWMARS library system gives access to books from libraries across Central and Western Mass, delivered to your preferred local library.
Other great books:
Parenting 4 Social Justice: Tips Tools and Inspiration for Conversations & Action with Kids, by Angela Berkfield, with co-authors Chrissy Colón Bradt, Leila Raven, Jamie Lynn Kessell, and Abigail Healey
Social Justice Parenting: How to Raise Compassionate, Anti-Racist, Justice-Minded Kids in an Unjust World, by Traci Baxley
It’s important for all kids to be able to see themselves—and each other—in the shows they’re watching. Here are a few fun animated kid shows featuring a diversity of characters:
The Casagrandes — Ronnie Anne, an independent, adventurous 11-year-old, explores city life with her big, loving, multigenerational Mexican-American family.
The Bravest Knight — Married to the prince of his dreams, Sir Cedric recounts his fairytale adventures to his adopted daughter Nia.
Rainbow Rangers — In the magical land of Kaleidoscopia, seven 9-year-old girls are guardians of nature.
The Legend of Korra — Avatar Korra, a headstrong, rebellious young woman who continually challenges and breaks with tradition, is on her quest to become a fully realized Avatar.
Molly of Denali — The daily adventures of 10-year-old Alaska native Molly Mabray, her family, her dog Suki, and her friends Tooey and Trini.
The Loud House — Eleven-year-old Lincoln Loud gives viewers an inside look at how to survive the chaos of a huge household, especially as the only boy with ten sisters.
Steven Universe — The Crystal Gems are the self-appointed guardians of the universe. Half-human, half-Gem hero Steven is their sidekick.
Also, check out 35 kid shows with Black characters as the stars, 10 shows featuring queer characters, and an interview with Joshua Leonard, an animator working on a series about a team of superhero friends with special needs.
With valuable assistance from NPS supporters both inside and outside our school communities, REAL (Racial Equity and Learning) has put together a directory in hopes of supporting NPS families in accessing what they need during the pandemic and beyond. There are sections for tech, food, childcare, housing, mental health, cash, and more, as well as contact info for each school.
The Pioneer Valley Childcare Collective has created a form to identify needs of parents and caregivers in our community and ways the Collective and other community members can provide support. In terms of things needed, sports/recreational equipment for older kids and teens is high on the list.
The Northampton.Live site shares ways you can support local small businesses in Northampton (updates made daily).
This is a great list of various digital resources for kids during and beyond school closure, many of them focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Included are podcast recs, a compilation of comic books and video games by Indigenous creators, and links to some fantastic coloring books and pages.
A sweet Sesame Street video, Kids Talk About Holidays, with your kids. Elmo: “Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa all celebrate with lights!”
Here’s a reading list to support you in truth telling and honoring the experiences of the original inhabitants and stewards of this land when you're discussing the Thanksgiving holiday with the kids in your care.
Five Ideas for Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day from the National Museum of the American Indian contains many great ideas and resources, including several geared toward elementary-aged children.
Check out A Racial Justice Guide to the Winter Holiday Season for Educators and Families from the Center for Racial Justice and Education for lots of links and resources. Need to double-check when holidays are celebrated throughout the year? This interfaith calendar includes major religious holidays and festivals for 2021 and 2022.