While we want to believe that the world that our children come into is a hospitable and welcoming place for all, it is difficult to deny today’s reality. Today’s world is complex and can be unfair, cruel, and difficult to navigate for so many, far more often than we would like to admit. For parents of young children, the global protests following the death of George Floyd as a result of police brutality may become the source of the children’s first questions about race and racism. Finding ways to describe the reality of things and to encourage children to start thinking about ways to improve it could be beneficial for parents and children, alike. Experts urge that parents do not underestimate children’s ability to comprehend issues around injustice. During the time of unrest, we can assure our children that their safety will always be our priority. We can validate their feelings about concrete events, but also use this time as an opportunity to talk about discrimination, and why so many people are rebelling about the unfairness of what’s going on.
To help parents start this conversation, we are reposting one of our earlier blog entries that addresses age-appropriate ways to speak about race and ethnicity with young children. Teaching kids to appreciate racial and ethnic diversity as one of the most enriching aspects of our lives will undoubtedly be a step towards making our world a better one indeed.