Comments on: Start a Conversation About Race with Kids

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 03:11:33 +0000

In reply to Herb of Grace. Thank you so much!:)

By: Herb of Grace

Herb of Grace — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 02:11:44 +0000

Oh wow! Great post 🙂 Good info! I”m going to bookmark this one 🙂

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 01:52:06 +0000

In reply to Megan (FriedOkra). Thanks Megan:)- it is so nice to meet you! I love connecting with other similarly-minded moms. Thank you so much!

By: Megan (FriedOkra)

Megan (FriedOkra) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 01:32:27 +0000

Great post, full of very practical ideas. I’m white, married to a black man and we have two kids. It’s been really interesting to hear their thoughts on race as they’ve gotten older. I really like your ideas on how to expand the conversation into the reasons people’s skin is the color it is… I’m going to mention it next time the subject of skin color comes up. Thanks for linking up to The Parent ‘Hood.. This is just the type of post we were hoping to see!

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:49:31 +0000

In reply to Nancy. Thank you so much! That has been on my list of books to read forever- thank you for reminding me again. I can't wait to read it- it sounds brilliant!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:33:02 +0000

Excellent post! I’m another mother in a transracial family who highly recommends “I’m Chocolate, You’re Vanilla.” The interviews/research with children are so fascinating, and the breakdown of kids’ understanding by developmental stages is really helpful. The book also does a great job of explaining why *all* parents need to talk about race — caucasian parents are far too likely to think that ignoring race means their kids won’t notice any differences between people’s appearances. Every parent of color that I know would laugh out loud at that!

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:22:11 +0000

In reply to Danielle. I am going to check out the books you recommended- I have heard so many people talk about I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla-- I have to read it, and The Colors of Us. Thank you!

By: Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:28:18 +0000

Great article! I also love the children’s book “The Colors Of Us,” and so does my 3 year old from Ethiopia. “I’m Chocolate, You’re Vanilla” is one I’m slowly reading through and find it helpful. I’m looking forward to checking out the other books mentioned as well. Thanks.

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:31:05 +0000

In reply to Christina Hannum. Thanks Christy! I hope you are doing well:).

By: Christina Hannum

Christina Hannum — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:57:55 +0000

Great article, Becky!

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:33:14 +0000

In reply to Shalyn. I completely agree Shalyn! We have to start talking about race- ignoring it does not mean that it doesn't exist. I think people are scared that they will say the wrong thing, so instead they say nothing at all-- which then tells the kids that it's taboo. PS- I love Nurture Shock!:)

By: Shalyn

Shalyn — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:44:46 +0000

As a special education worker who works closely with children and teaches social skills courses daily, I have to say that this is truly one of the best articles I have read concerning diversity. I would recommend the book “Nurture Shock”, as the entire book is incredible, but there is a chapter discussing the importance of addressing race with children. Basically, studies show that by not addressing race issues we are letting media tell our children about race…and lets face it-that’s scary.

By: Cintia Ulloa-Hays

Cintia Ulloa-Hays — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:51:16 +0000

What a wonderful article! I will start these conversations with my kids since they seem to be at the right age (4 & 2). It’s also perfect timing since we’re living in brazil where the language difference is coming up in conversation. It can be a perfect segway into other differences in people around us. Thanks!

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:29:36 +0000

In reply to Jennifer W. I would like to introduce the word melanin to my kids- great idea. Kids like the facts, and I like using real vocabulary to describe their environment!

By: Jennifer W

Jennifer W — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:36:52 +0000

I’ve been using the word “melanin” to describe the why of skin color since my girls (2 adopted from China, now 6 & 8) were small, but it still takes a while for this idea to percolate, especially when they haven’t been affected (yet) by prejudice. When they were studying Dr King last month in school, I over heard a comment during a playdate with a friend who is Asian Indian re segragation, “if it was like then, we would be able to play together, because we’re both Chinese, but you’d have to play with other kids from India.”