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As role models, parents, and guardians, our relationship with our community shapes our kids’ perspectives and ideas. We can say this is “appropriate behavior” or that is “the right thing” to do, but we are showing more with the actions we do and do not take. This extends to the media we consume, the shows we watch, the books we read, and the subtle comments that are met with silence at the dinner table.
We owe it to future generations to do better and act now. Here’s how:
#1 Get Educated: Understanding your part as a parent or child care provider in racial justice.
#2 Get Local: Every region has its own specific needs. Find out what they are & next steps towards a more equitable community.
#3 Keep Showing Up: Change doesn’t happen overnight; here are resources to continue the conversation into the future.
Articles & Educational Resources:
- NAEYC: Becoming Upended: Teaching and Learning About Race and Racism With Young Children and Their Families
- Zero To Three: Racism and Violence: Using Your Power as a Parent to Support Children Aged Two to Five
- NPR: Talking Race With Young Children
- Tolerance.org: Why Teaching Black Lives Matter Matters
- Common Sense Media: How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids
- Zero to Three: Equity and Social Justice in Child Care
- NAEYC: Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education
- Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development Crucial Conversations on Race and Racism
- The Atlantic: How to Talk to Kids About Racism (video)
- University of Montana: White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack Peggy McIntosh
- Sesame Street Town Hall: How to explain racism to kids
- Positive Parenting: Race, Identity, and Kids’ Conversations
- Child Mind Institute: Racism and Violence: How to Help Children Handle the News
- DEY: Audrey Duck Asks Dr. Susan Linn and Dr. Denisha Jones, “Why Are People Protesting?”
- Smithsonian: Talking About Race
- Parent Toolkit: How Do I Talk to My Kids about Race and Racism
- Embrace Race: Tools & Resources
- Head Start: Talking to Children About Differences and Similarities
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Children Are Not Colorblind: How Young Children Learn Race
- Children’s Community School: They’re Not Too Young to Talk About Race!
- Racial Equity Tools: Summary of Stages of Racial Identity Development
- PBS: How to Talk Honestly with Children about Racism
- NPR: Why All Parents Should Talk to their Kids about Social Identity
- NPR: How White Parents Can Talk to their Kids about Race
- Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center: Multicultural Principles for Early Childhood Leaders
Books for kids:
- Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
- Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison
- ‘All American Boys’: A Young Adult Book About A Police Beating And A Hard Choice by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
- I Can Change the World by Jennifer Dewing
- Same Difference by Calida Rawles
- A Different Pond by Bao Phi
- The Forever Sky by Thomas Peacock
- Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
- Lulu the One and Only by Lynnette Mawhinney
- American Psychological Association: Reading and RES: Parent Tip Tool, Choosing and Using Books to Discuss Race and Ethnicity
- PBS: 13 Children’s Books about Race and Diversity
- Raising Race Conscious Children: Children’s Book List
Authorities on racism & discrimination on social media:
- ACLU of Montana (Instagram)
- ACLU of Montana (Facebook)
- NAACP Colorado Montana Wyoming State Conference (Facebook)
Authorities on child care, children, and teaching with additional resources on race & racism:
- Zero to Three
- Zero to Five
- First Five Years Fund
- Child Trends
- UNICEF
- Child Care Aware of America
- Teaching Tolerance
- Raising Race Conscious Children
- Embrace Race
- Teaching for Change
- AORTA Cooperative
- Montana Department of Labor and Industry
Local Organizations:
- The Montana Racial Equity Project
- ACLU Montana
- Black Student Union (Montana State University)
- American Indian Council (Montana State University)
- & more MSU Organizations…
- Haven
- Big Sky Brighter Future
Montana Legislative Representatives
Keep the conversation going:
- Cultural Heritage Below the Water Line (article)
- 7 Ways to Support Diversity in the Classroom (article)
- Supporting Children Who Have Face Trauma (infographic)
- SHINE Talk for Kids (parent education series)
- Supporting the School Readiness and Success of Young African American Boys Project: Reflections on a Culturally Responsive Strength-Based Approach
- Empty Desks: Discipline and Policing in Montana’s Public Schools (article)
- Study: Early-childhood Programs More Segregated than K-12 (article)
- Montana Free Press: Uphill, A two-part story about Black Lives Matter organizing in Montana
***If you would like to see a resource added to this list, please email stephanie@cccmontana.org.
Child Care Connections is a nonprofit organization advocating for the well-being and quality care of children in Gallatin, Park, Meagher, Lewis & Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater counties. Learn more at cccmontana.org or by calling (406) 587-7786. We are a member of the Montana Child Care Resource and Referral Network.
