Talking to Kids About Racism

Every child, regardless of race, ethnicity, and background, deserves to grow up in a safe, welcoming environment. Unfortunately, racism and social injustices continue to have a presence in our country.  

Starlight is committed to doing our part by ensuring equal access to our programs and delivering 50% of Starlight programs to children’s facilities caring for medically underserved and vulnerable populations. We also want to help educate our community and provide them with resources to have difficult conversations with children.  

In order to do this, Certified Child Life Specialists have gathered the following resources to help you explore ways that you can teach empathy through communication and education. 

We encourage parents and caregivers to begin conversations about race, privilege, bias, diversity, and inclusivity starting in pre-school to set the next generation up for a future full of love and compassion. 

• CNN/Sesame Street town hall on racism, CNN 

CNN's Van Jones and Erica Hill partnered with "Sesame Street" for Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, a town hall for kids and families. Watch the town hall in its entirety. 

• These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids by Jessica Grose, New York Times 

Jessica Grose, New York Times, provides a list of books to start the conversation about race and keep it going at all ages. 

• How White People Can Talk to Their Kids About Race by Michel Martin, NPR  

Michel Martin, weekend host of All Things Considered, spoke with Jennifer Harvey, author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America.

• Life’s Little Lessons a PBS Learning Kit with Daniel Tiger, PBS 

In this set of resources, video from DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD is used to focus on how you can help children value and appreciate ways in which we are alike and ways in which we are different. 

• Anti-Racism for Kids: An Age-by-Age Guide to Fighting Hate by Katie Arnold-Ratliff, Parents 

Child psychologists come together to offer suggestions on how to speak to your children about hate and racism we face every day. Grouped by age ranges, you will learn how to approach conversations with your children and best understand their point of view on such difficult topics. 

• Beyond the Golden Rule from Teaching Tolerance 

Psychologists, educators and parenting experts offer practical, age-appropriate advice to help you integrate lessons of respect and tolerance in day-to-day activities. And a final section offers guidance for reflecting upon your own biases, and how those biases affect your parenting. 

• Raising Little Allies to Be by Wander + Wonder Studio 

A document “put together in hopes it will spark conversations in homes with caregivers and little ones across the globe” 

• How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism by Parent Toolkit  

Experts Julie Lythcott-Haims (Author, Former Dean of Freshmen, Stanford University), Rosalind Wiseman (Founder, Cultures of Dignity), and Amber Coleman-Mortley (Director of Social Engagement, iCivics) provide tips on starting conversations around racism. 

• Multicultural Classroom Materials and Diverse Toys for Preschool by Allison McDonald  

This blog offers ways for us to create inclusive and diverse environments for preschool aged children. You will find dolls for pretend play, art supplies for self-expression, and family and food sets for exploration. 

• Best Black Kids Movies on Netflix, The Voice of Black Cincinnati 

A list of the best black kids movies on Netflix including family comedies, educational shows, animated shows, and action movies.