FAMILY BUZZ
Resources for Talking With Kids About Race/Racism
We are all navigating the serious issue of racism in our country. We have put together a starting point of resources for you as you have these on-going conversations in your family.
This article from NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) explains our approach in teaching preschoolers about appreciating the uniqueness of each person and their culture at WWP.
Kids Book about Racism read on You Tube by Author Jelani Memory, who is multiracial.
ARTICLES
Talking Race With Young Children - NPR
Some highlights of this story:
Even babies notice differences like skin color, eye shape and hair texture. Here's how to handle conversations about race, racism, diversity and inclusion, even with very young children.
A few things to remember:
Don't shush or shut them down if they mention race.
Don't wait for kids to bring it up.
Be proactive, helping them build a positive awareness of diversity.
When a child experiences prejudice, grown-ups need to both address the feelings and fight the prejudices.
You don't have to avoid topics like slavery or the Holocaust. Instead, give the facts and focus on resistance and allies.
Here’s a quick summary:
Limit children’s exposure to news.
For big stories, ask: "What have you heard and how are you feeling?" While it's important to limit your kids' exposure to potentially frightening media, some stories are simply too big to avoid. And as kids get older, if they don't hear about it at home, they'll almost certainly hear something from classmates at school. Tara Conley, a media researcher at Montclair State University, says adults should choose a quiet moment to check in with their kids, maybe at the dinner table or at bedtime. The idea, she says, is to allow kids to "ask questions about what they're seeing, how they're feeling and what do they think." In other words: Give kids a safe space to reflect and share.
Give simple facts, in context.
When they ask why something happened, avoid labels like "bad guys." Evan Nierman, a father of two, lives in Parkland, Fla. His son turned 11 the day after the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and his daughter was 8. He says one of the toughest moments for him as a father was when his kids asked why the shooting happened. "And there's obviously not a great answer for that. It's hard to explain." Truglio says we should resist the temptation to label anyone "bad guys" or "evil." It's not helpful, and it may increase fear and confusion. Instead, she says, talk about people being in pain, being angry and making bad choices. That's what Nierman and his wife settled on, telling their children that the shooter wasn't well and needed help. And according to Truglio, there's one important thing parents shouldn't be afraid to say: “I don't know”.
Allow your child to process what s/he is experiencing through art and play.
Look for the helpers - and BE a helper.
For parents who are white, this article talks about teaching your children by example.
Mom, why don't you have any black friends?
PODCASTS
Talking about issues around race can be uncomfortable, it can also be difficult to find a place to start. That's where On Ramp comes in. On Ramp is your starting point in learning more about race, racism, and reconciliation, and it's all through the lens of Christian spirituality.
WWP parent and board member, Ebony Ramquist, hosts a podcast Ebony Ramquist: HUE
“We believe the insight and wisdom of the series guests will encourage, equip, and challenge you to navigate the present, while inspiring you to look beyond white supremacy through the bold prayer: What’s Next?”
Fun & Learning at Home! Rhyming
STORY TIME - with Ms. Becky
Spring is Here!
Fun with Words
"Hop & Pop - Hey, those words rhyme!" Young preschoolers are exploring words and sounds. Point out to them when you hear rhyming words in songs and books and in play.
Rhyming Game: Point to things in your environment and name them. Then see if you can think of a word that rhymes with that word i.e. fan/pan, shoe/blue, bear/hair
Read nursery rhymes to your child. See if they can guess what the rhyming word will be. Look for clues in the pictures in the book. For example, "There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, she had so many children, she didn't know what to ___." (do)
Sing rhyming songs together: "Hush Little Baby", "I'm a Little Teapot", "The Ants Go Marching"
Craft: Make butterflies out of coffee filters and pipe cleaners. Use markers and spray with water, or watercolor paint to put color onto your butterfly.
Sarah Bates is on our Board of Directors. Some of you may remember her as a past volunteer in Ms. Tarah's room. Sarah is now teaching at The Berry Patch Preschool. She and her girls have this fun idea to share with us about a "Boat Float"!
Boat Float!
How many coins can you add to your boat and still have it float?
Share with us what you are doing at your house.
Fun & Learning at Home! Counting
STORY TIME - with Mr. Dave
Mr. Dave is our beloved volunteer in the Caterpillar class. He is a retired Kindergarten teacher, a part of the Calvary Community and a WWP board member as of this year.
Ed's Egg
Did you notice the counting in the book? How many frogs were there? How many mice?
Let's do some counting activities!
Use muffin cups, applesauce containers or muffin tins with numbers written on paper or tape, whatever little containers you may have on hand. If you don't have puff balls, try pasta or rocks or something else small. The tongs are great for strengthening finger/hand muscles!
Use lids from milk or other containers glued onto cardboard to create this one!
Collect sticks in your neighborhood and then use them to count by placing them in the TP tubes.
Fun & Learning at Home! Giving/Kindness
STORY TIME - with Ms. Becky
The Giving Tree
The tree loved the boy very much. What did the tree give to the boy?
How can you be GIVING and show your love to others?
Here are a few ideas...
Create a card to send to our friends at Signe Burkhardt Manor
Attn: Tammy 2533 1st Ave. S. Minneapolis MN 55404
This is the senior living center where the Caterpillars and Butterflies have gone on field trips for Halloween and Valentine's Day. Be sure to let them know that you are a friend from Whittier Wildflowers Preschool!
Connect with a friend - send a card/ creation in the mail or drop it off at their house, text a picture, FaceTime or Zoom. Let me know if you need a WWP family directory.
Create a Giving/Kindness Jar - brainstorm ways that you can be kind at your house. Write them down on pieces of paper and put them in a jar. Pick them out a few times a day to share kindness with one another. Some examples:
Give a hug
Let someone else go first
Say something nice to someone
Create a picture for someone
Clean up without being asked
I've heard about people creating Kindness rocks and leaving them around the neighborhood to give encouragement to others.
