July 22, 2020

A letter from Dr. Tiffany Christian:

Dear Parents,

If your child can talk, then you’ve probably experienced the embarrassment of their brutal, unfiltered honesty.  “Mommy, she’s fat.” “Daddy, he’s got a fake leg.”  “Mommy, what’s that mark on her face?” “Daddy, why does she walk like that?” Kids are observant but the good thing is that it’s usually a purely objective statement of fact to them.  We are the ones that assume, imply (and later, unfortunately teach) that observations come with value judgments.

If curiosity, observation and exploration are the tools that children use to learn, why are we so afraid to teach them about race?  Most likely, it’s because no one ever taught us to talk about race so we avoid what makes us uncomfortable.  However, just like the “birds and the bees,” if we don’t educate our children and guide their understanding, someone else will.  As parents, we are positioned to empower our children with the tools to promote social justice and equality, in spite of the presence of so many societal forces to the contrary.  We just have to be brave, face our own fears and discomforts, and start the conversation. 

Here are some resources that might help:

https://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-race_3657102.bc

https://extension.unh.edu/blog/how-talk-your-child-about-racism

https://www.today.com/parenting-guides/how-talk-kids-about-race-racism-t179138

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/talking-to-kids-race-racism-books_b_2618305

https://www.today.com/parenting-guides/how-talk-kids-about-race-racism-t179138

It’s not easy. But if each of us does the best we can, hopefully our children won’t have to face these same fears with their children.

Together, we can slay this dragon called RACISM!

In Unity,

Tiffany

 

Hello Playhouse families and friends. In light of all of the heartbreaking news we have received recently about the death of George Floyd, along with so many protests and reactions around the country in response, we’d like to share with you some resources that will help you have a meaningful conversation with your children. We hope these resources will give you ideas for how to put into words what your little (and not-so-little) ones may be thinking, wondering about, and feeling during this time. There are resources for you as well. We all need extra support and love during these times, and your Playhouse family is here for you through it all.

Resources: 

How to Talk with Your Child about Racism, Guidance on how to provide support and create teachable moments,” by Gail Kennedy

Heard-Garris, Nia and Jacqueline Dougé. “Talking to Children about Racism: The Time is Now.” American Academy of Pediatrics.

Today show Parenting Guide on How to Talk to Kids about Race

NMAAHC (National Museum of African American History and Culture)

“Talking About Race” (web portal, free, has specific areas dedicated to parents/caregivers, educators, and people committed to equality)

The Children’s Community School – Social Justice Resources

($20) A White Families’ Guide to Talking About Racism

NPR Podcast “Talking Race with Young Children”

Sesame Street-I Love My Hair video

Raising Little Allies-to-be

Instagram: 

@theconsciouskid 

@tiffanymjewell 

 

To order any of the books listed below contact our favorite local book store, Foggy Pine Books!

Open by appointment only during the hours of Monday – Saturday 9 am to 5:30 pm.
They are encouraging orders via phone, online, and email during this time.
Website: foggypinebooks.com
Phone: 828-386-1219
Social Media: @foggypinebooks on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Yelp
Physical Address: 471 W. King St, ​Boone, NC 28607

 

Books For Kids: 

Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners’ List (full of great choices for kids)

Not My Idea, Anastasia Higginbotham

Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story about Racial Injustice, Marietta Collins
A Kids Book About Racism, Jelani Memory
Just Like Me, Vanessa Brantley Newton
I Believe I Can, Grace Byers
The Undefeated, Kwame Alexander
The Proudest Blue, Ibtihaj Muhammad
I, Too, Am America, Langston Hughes
Dear Martin, Nic Stone (for ages 14-18)
I am Every Good Thing, Derrick Barnes
Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History, Vashti Harrison
This Book is Anti Racist, Tiffany Jewell
All Are Welcome, Alexandra Penfold
Most People, Michael Leannah
Teach Your Dragon About Diversity, Steve Herman
Race Cars, Jenny Devenny
We’re Different, We’re the Same, Bobbie Kates and Joe Mathieu
Let’s Talk About Race, Julius Lester
Same, Same, but Different, Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices, Wade Hudson

 

Books For Adults: 

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You, Jason Reynolds
How to Be an Antiracist, Ibram X Kendi
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, Robin Diangelo
So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo
Raising White Kids, Jennifer Harvey
Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson

Playhouse Comics Club, Issue #5 (May 29, 2020)Playhouse Comics Club, Issue #6 (June 5, 2020)
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