Resources for Talking With Kids About Racism

Repairing the world, tikkun olam, starts at home. Right now, even if it feels uncomfortable, it's important for families to talk about race and racism together.

RelatedWhat is Jewish About Respecting Differences?

The following resources offer starting points for parents, educators, and caregivers about how to handle conversations about race, racism, diversity and inclusion, even with very young children.

Since there is such a wealth of information available online, the PJ Library team has curated a selection for parents to get started with these discussions at home. This post is by no means an exhaustive list, and we will continue to update it as well as share pertinent posts, videos, and book lists on our Facebook page

For Parents

Quick Links for Parents:

10 Tips for Teaching And Talking to Kids About Race via Embrace Race and MomsRising

An Anti-Racist Reading List via New York Times

They're Not Too Young to Talk About Race via The Children's Community School

Social Media Accounts to Follow:

Embrace Race has a wealth of resources, including free webinars, to "help parents practice raising and caring  all kids, in the context of race." Follow Embrace Race on Facebook

The Conscious Kid is "an education, research and policy organization dedicated to reducing bias and promoting positive identity development in youth. We partner with organizations, children’s museums, schools, and families across the country to promote access to children’s books centering underrepresented and oppressed groups." Follow Conscious Kid on Instagram.

Here Wee Read is run by a diversity and inclusion expert (and mom) Charnaie. The mission is to help fellow parents find diverse books, and educational products to help raise curious kids. Follow Here Wee Read on Instagram

For Children Under 5

Diverse Board Books for Babies and Toddlers

Early Childhood Books for Talking About Racial Identity via Social Justice Books

Multicultural Board Books for Babies via Pragmatic Mom and Multicultural Children's Book Day

Coming Together: A Town Hall on Standing Up to Racism via Sesame Street and CNN

Kids Ages 6 and Up

Curated Book Selections About Race and Racism via ADL

How to Talk to Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help via Read Brightly

Picture Books That Help Children Tackle Race and Racism via What Do We Do All Day

Podcasts and Videos

Talking Race With Young Children via NPRHelping Kids Process Violence, Trauma, and Race in a World of Nonstop News via Common Sense Media

Jewish Voices

What We in the Black Community Need From Jews Right Now via The Forward

The Black Jews Are Tired via Reform Judaism

Try to See Me via Be'chol Lashon

Children's Books about the diversity of Jewish experience via Be'chol Lashon

 

More

Talking About Race via National Museum of African American History & Culture

Resources for Race, Equity, and Inclusion via We Need Diverse Books

How to Talk to Kids About Racism, Racial Violence, and Police Brutality via USA Today

Black Mental Health Resources via Sunshine Behavioral Health (scroll to the end of the guide for this section)