Talking to your child about Race and Racism - Rhodes Avenue Primary School

The Black Lives Matter movement have shone a spotlight on the need to talk about race and racism. It’s never too early to talk to your child about race, acceptance and equality and to introduce diversity in to their lives. To help start these conversations, please see below a list of resources you may find helpful. If you know of something else you think we should include, please do let us know.

Read

National Literacy Trust has published book lists for children and young people of all ages to share black stories and promote black voices.
National Geographic have published a great article called ‘Talking to kids about race’ which helps parents have an initial discussion with their children about empathy and compassion.
The Embrace Race reading list provides a selection of children’s books to help have a discussion about diversity, justice and activism.
The Childline website has some information about racism and racial bullying with some more useful resources

Watch and listen

Podcast – Talking race with young children– some helpful tips on how to initiate conversations and be proactive with discussions.
BBC Woman’s Hour – How to talk to your children about race and racism– some starting points for discussions and how to empower children.
All Bugbears – a girl explains how she is sad when she sees people being racist– thoughts about how everyone is the same on the inside
Horrible Histories – Rosa Parks– a short YouTube video all about Rosa Parks.

Follow

The Conscious Kid – ‘parenting and education through a critical race lens.’
The Black curriculum – a social enterprise founded by young people in 2019 to help address the lack of black history in the curriculum.
Inclusive Story Time– an introduction to black history for children.
The Tiny Activist– introducing children to social justice.

Sessions for Parents

We have held sessions for parents on:

Session 1 16^th June 2021 13.45-14.45 How should I be talking to my child about race?

Session 2 23^rd June 2021 13.45-14.45 Celebrating Diversity

Session 2 recording – click here – https://vimeo.com/566915815

Session 3 30^th June 2021 13.45-14.45 How can I empower my child?

Session 3 recording – click here – https://vimeo.com/569752280

Quotes from parents about these sessions:

“I really enjoyed these sessions and feel they have given me the confidence to discuss these areas with my child. I felt I could relate to the content and it was so good to be able to discuss these topics. Thank you for organising them”

“I liked the way Mpula presented, using personal examples and stories. She offered suggestions on how to approach different scenarios”

“Really commend the school on addressing these very pertinent issues of race, diversity and inclusion. As a POC, still have fears of my child having to face racial bias in their life, as I have had to. Glad that They may Atleast feel more empowered to be themselves and supported within the school’s policies and ethos”