Discussing Race with Children

Focused Topics Creating Culturally Responsive Programs Lesson 6 Explore Discussing Race with Children Reflection	WWW.VIRTUALLABSCHOOL.ORG ACTIVITY ID: 26206 Name Certifier Date
Children of all ages are capable of learning about and discussing race and racism. Use the table below to learn more about what infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children understand about race and racism. In the space provided, reflect on how this may be supported in the classroom setting. Infants Demonstrate preference to faces of people from their own race. Expose children to pictures with a variety of skin tones. Toddlers Use facial cues and body language to make sense of the world. Imitate attitudes and behaviors of familiar adults. Begins to use race to choose playmates. Share books, images, music, and dolls that celebrate cultural differences. Preschoolers Observant of how others are similar or different from them. Compare groups. Demonstrate preference to own racial group. Make positive connections often and verbalize them in front of children. School-agers Begins to recognize race as a “taboo” topic. Includes or excludes peers based on race. Has questions about race and other differences. Becomes aware of cultural stereotypes. Initiate conversations around differences. Ask open-ended questions that are free of judgment. Adapted from Baxley, T. (n.d.). Never too young: Ages and stages of racial understanding. Sesame Street in Communities. https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/activities/never-too-young-ages-and-stages-of-racial-understanding/?_ga=2.255418760.1225030997.1672945646-867778851.1672945627

Reflection

WWW.VIRTUALLABSCHOOL.ORG

ACTIVITY ID: 26206

Name

Certifier

Date

Children of all ages are capable of learning about and discussing race and racism. Use the table below to learn more about what infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children understand about race and racism. In the space provided, reflect on how this may be supported in the classroom setting.

Infants

Demonstrate preference to faces of people from their own race.

Expose children to pictures with a variety of skin tones.

Toddlers

Use facial cues and body language to make sense of the world.
Imitate attitudes and behaviors of familiar adults.
Begins to use race to choose playmates.

Share books, images, music, and dolls that celebrate cultural differences.

Preschoolers

Observant of how others are similar or different from them.
Compare groups.
Demonstrate preference to own racial group.

Make positive connections often and verbalize them in front of children.

School-agers

Begins to recognize race as a “taboo” topic.
Includes or excludes peers based on race.
Has questions about race and other differences.
Becomes aware of cultural stereotypes.

Initiate conversations around differences. Ask open-ended questions that are free of judgment.

Adapted from Baxley, T. (n.d.). Never too young: Ages and stages of racial understanding. Sesame Street in Communities. https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/activities/never-too-young-ages-and-stages-of-racial-understanding/?_ga=2.255418760.1225030997.1672945646-867778851.1672945627