Each January we reflect on and celebrate the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King encouraged and worked for freedom, equality, justice and love. How can you embrace these ideas with your young children? One of the most important things families can do is model how to celebrate the differences among people, including race, ethnicity, disability, and gender.
Racial identity and attitudes begin to develop in children at a young age. From KidsHealth.org: “When we teach kids early on that it’s OK to talk about race, we help them to understand, respect, and appreciate the differences between people. This builds empathy and compassion for others so that kids are better able to see when things in their world seem unjust or unfair — and can do something about it.”
Explore the resources below on how to begin talking to young children about diversity and encouraging positive attitudes toward race.
- View resources on talking about race and racism from PBS Kids.
- Help your child build a positive self-identity: Using Stories to Nurture Identity from ZERO TO THREE.
- Use these 10 Tips for Teaching and Talking to Kids About Race from EmbraceRace.org
- Check out this list from Groundwork Ohio and Dayton Metro Library: Books featuring African-American lead characters and/or focused on diversity and social-emotional health
Learn Through Play Daily Activities: January
Help children learn through play by using one of the following age-specific monthly calendars that feature daily activities.
- Learn Through Play Calendar: Infant
- Learn Through Play Calendar: Toddler
- Learn Through Play Calendar: Preschool
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