2 Jul 2020
Books To Teach Kids about RACE and ANTI-RACISM
The recent acts of violence against people of color, the tragic death of George Floyd and the protests in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement have challenged us to educate ourselves and our children about RACE and RACISM.
It’s simply not enough to be NOT RACIST. We need to model and teach our children to be ANTI-RACISM.
Racism can be such a complex, painful topic to talk about, but it’s important that we start these conversations with kids so we can change the culture of white privilege. Luckily, there are wonderful children’s books about race and racism that we can read together to spark conversations with kids of all ages.
As an Author and book lover, I have always chosen books to expose my daughter to all kinds of new topics I want to teach her. The past few weeks, I have made it a priority to choose more diverse books (both at the library and to add to our own collection at home) to read with my toddler.
Here are 4 books I highly recommend for preschoolers and elementary school age readers (ages 2-8) to introduce race and racial differences to young children. I’ve also included some books for older kids and high schoolers. These can all be found on Amazon by clicking on the title links or book images below.
ONE LOVE by Cedella Marley
Based on Bob Marley’s classic song ONE LOVE, this heartwarming book brings his timeless “feel good” lyrics to life. It’s perfect for teaching kids about the power of people coming together with love in their hearts to bring about change. It is available in both board book and hardcover versions.
COLORS OF US by Karen Katz
The story, “The Colors of Us” celebrates the many shades of skin color. The story follows seven-year-old Lena, a budding artist who wants to paint herself. As she and her mother take a walk through their neighborhood, Lena learns that brown comes in many different shades and the people all around her come in many colors and cultures too. When Lena returns from her walk, she’s excited to mix her yellow, red, white and black paints to capture her own unique skin tone.
ALL THE COLORS OF THE EARTH by Sheila Hamanaka
This book begins with “Children come in all the colors of the earth~”
With its vibrant illustrations and simple wording, the book introduces kids to all the beautiful shades of skin color and their connection to the colors found on nature. It also depicts children, families and friends of mixed races, which reinforces that not all people and families look the same. I love how this book celebrates children of all races and has a positive message that all children be happy and free.
THE DAY YOU BEGIN by Jacqueline Woodson
This book explores the many reasons we may feel different, maybe the way we look or speak, being from a different country or the food we eat. The story begins on the first day of school and centers around Angelina, who has curly hair and brown skin. She feels her “otherness” reflecting on her summer spent home playing with her little sister while her classmates share their stories of their summer vacation travels. This book reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes and that it takes courage to share your stories. It promotes self love and acceptance of others as well as the power of your VOICE and the connection that can emerge when you are being yourself!
12 Aug 2020
Creating a CALM SPACE for Kids
Children, especially toddlers and preschoolers, have BIG FEELINGS.
When kids feel overstimulated or “flooded with feelings”, they don’t know what to do with them. That is why they usually ACT on them or ACT OUT- by screaming, throwing things, hitting, biting, or some other physical way to release their feelings.
It’s our job as parents to teach them how to regulate their feelings. This takes patience and practice. We can model how it’s done by remaining calm, taking a deep breath and offering them an alternative to having a meltdown or tantrum.
One way to promote mindfulness and emotional regulation is by setting up a SAFE SPACE for kids to calm down and manage their feelings in a healthy way. You can call it a Calm Space, Calm Down Spot, Cozy Corner or Tune In Nook. This offers a more gentle option than Time-OUTS by giving them a safe space to take some Time-IN and move through their feelings in a way that is free from blame or shame.
It’s never too early to make room for a Calm Space. You can introduce your baby to a quiet corner with soothing music and sensory objects like stuffies and a blanket, then continue to build on its use as your child grows by adding tools for mindfulness.
5 STEPS TO CREATING A CALM SPACE FOR KIDS
1. Choose an area in your home that is QUIET and not too busy. It could be an cozy corner or area in their bedroom, playroom or family room.
2. Delineate the space by setting up a tent/teepee, hanging a canopy or curtain from the ceiling, using a soft comfy chair, or simply laying out a cozy blanket or rug. Make the space COZY and welcoming with pillows, a floor cushion or blankets. Let your child make the space their own by adding their own items like a favorite blankie or stuffie.
3. Create a CALM DOWN KIT ( like the one below) for your child to use when they are feeling stressed or upset, Fill a bin or basket with mindfulness tools and items that will help calm them down. A few favorite books (yoga and mindfulness books are a plus), play dough, affirmation cards, breathing props such as feathers or a pinwheel, an eye pillow for relaxation, some coloring sheets with crayons and a stuffed friend to hold and hug.
4. Practice using the space by having a daily routine of spending time there together. Choose a daily affirmation card, practice taking deep breaths, do a yoga pose together, color mandalas or journal together if your child is a bit older. Let them know it’s their special place where they can go when they need break or some time to calm down. You can also have some items for YOU to use in the calm space with your child, like an eye pillow or mask for relaxation.
5. When you notice your child is starting to get frustrated or upset, remind your child that it’s ok for them take a break in their Calm Space.
If you would like a MINDFUL ME KIT like the one below, click on the image below. It comes with a set of adorable animal puppets to prompt yoga poses, bubbles and feathers for breathing, pom poms to play “TOE-GA” and choice of lavender flax seed eye pillow- in yoga cats and dogs or yoga monkey pattern- all in a handy drawstring bag for kids to take their mindfulness tools on-the-go! An instruction sheet of the activities is included.