Resources for a Growing Mind
- Pre-K Life
- Jun 2, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 8, 2020
When I started this blog, my main goal is to be able to share my ideas and experiences that you can do at home with your children. My main intention is for children to learn from play and being able to have those moments with you, especially as we live through this pandemic. So for today please forgive me as I use this platform to share a message with you all, because I know it is all over the televisions and news. I know it pops up as notifications on your devices, and I know kids observe and see whats happening and knowing my students, I know they must have questions and we as adults must try to give them answers.
The death of George Floyd at the hands of those four police officers has started a cry out for changes in how our system sees race. Time and time again we hear and see these videos of police brutality and we go out to the streets and protest, but this one is different. This one hit differently, and its because people have had enough. Blacks in America have faced more than 200 years of racial injustice and enough is enough. This past week the streets have been flooded with protestors, despite the pandemic, to share their voices and go into action. Its all over the news, and I'm sure your children have questions.
Now I am Cuban American, and my narrative isn't the same that is faced by many Black citizens in this country, but my heart hurts. I watch the news day by day and it reminds me that as an educator it is my duty to step up and provide some sort of help during these times. In the last few days I've been doing some reading and I will found two sources for you. And my only hope is that they help you at home, as you address any questions your child may have. Because if as adults we have questions and need to have certain conversations with each other, I can imagine the children may feel somewhat the same.
The following websites provide information about how to speak to your child about race and other social injustices (because lets be honest theres a whole lot going on right now in this country), in an age appropriate manner.
The Conscious Kid, provides interviews that address important conversations with your child, whole also recommending age appropriate books that touch upon oppression. Now the link I have attached is an interview with Dr. Marietta Collins, Ph.D, the co author of the book "Something Happened in Our Town". The book targeted for children aged 4-8, tells the story of two families, one black and one white, and how they handle the news of a black man being shot by the police, when their children begin to ask questions about the event. I myself gave this book a read, and found its message clear for a child to understand.
Dr. Collins states in the interview "stories in children’s books help to assist children in processing difficult events while creating a sense of distance that helps those events feel less emotionally overwhelming". Children's books have always found ways to address hot topics and social issues in an age appropriate manner, as a parent and educator its about finding the right book that will give the message you want your child to learn. It's also important to consider representation, and how that may make a child feel if they see them self in a character, remember young children learn by making connections from what they already know.
This website has a video by Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, MD, who provides advice to parents on the importance of speaking to your child about cultural differences. The website also provides other resources for parents as well. It is also available in Spanish.
Book Riot provides a list of different children's book that speak about diversity. You can find other books as well on different subjects and ages.
Sesame Workshop, the minds behind the popular show Sesame's Street, teamed up with CNN for a town hall meeting to discuss with children about racism. The special includes a conversation with Elmo and his dad about the protests.
This website, whose tagline is "Raising a brave generation", provides webinars and articles that touch upon how to talk to your child about race and about other topics that may affect today's times. They provide different book suggestions based on topics and age groups.
As I skimmed throughout the site, I came across some books to consider adding to your library if you're looking into helping your child become more socially conscious. To be full transparent with you, I have not read these books, well except for one. Which only shows that as a teacher I have to do better in finding and providing the right books for my classroom.
Young Water Protectors: A Story about Standing Rock by Aslan and Kelly Tudor
The Day You Begin by Jaqueline Woodson
Featherless/ Desplumado by Juan Herrrera
My Very Own Room/ Mi Propio Cuarto by Amada Irma Perez
Skin Like Mine by Latashia M. Perry
Finding Om by Rashmi S. Bismark
Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman*
*Authors Note: The book "Amazing Grace" was added by me. It was my favorite book growing up, I first heard it on Reading Rainbow, and then my mother bought me a copy with the cassette. It tells the story of Grace, a young black girl who enjoys hearing stories told to her by her grandmother, her favorite being "Peter Pan". When her school holds auditions for their yearly play, she becomes excited to audition to be Peter Pan, only to be told by other students she can't because she's a girl and she's black. The story unfolds a beautiful tale as a grandmother steps in and gives the courage and inspiration to a young girl who learns she can be anything she wants to be, as long as she puts her mind to it. I wont spoil it, because I'm sure it's a book your little one will enjoy.
Have any book recommendations? Or perhaps you would like to share a review of any the books mentioned? or on how you handled this topic, please feel free to share in the comments below.
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