"Discussing Race" Educator Companion
Welcome to the educator companion to “Discussing Race With Young Children: A Step-By-Step Activity Guide.” This is a six-lesson unit that can be used in schools/classrooms with children 2-6 years old to spark community conversations related to identity, race, and racism. The curriculum is an adaptation of the parent-friendly guide, which was produced by Sparkler Learning in collaboration with Noggin and OK Play.
In this unit, students will gather for classroom community meetings (“Us Time”) to explore ideas such as how a person’s skin color is one part of their identity, how people with differences can also have things in common and come together as a community, how we can work or play together with people who are different from us, and some ways we can take care of others in our community. The materials are aligned with both the Early Learning Outcomes Framework and CT Early Learning and Development Standards. Each lesson includes references to the specific standards the lesson addresses.
Don't Make Assumptions & Other Teacher Tips
We know that race is an emotionally charged topic and can be an uncomfortable conversation for many of us — parents, caregivers, educators. As an educator, you may feel that it’s not your place, or that your supervisors might object to talking about issues of identity, race, and racism in your classroom. However, creating space for children to discuss and make sense of their observation is important work! All children notice differences and similarities between people; it’s an expected and normal part of their development. Research shows that individuals notice racial differences in people as early as infancy (Kelly, et al., 2005); by toddlerhood, children often choose playmates based on race (Katz & Kofkin, 1997).
Race & Racism Lessons
Click into each unit for the interactive version of the lesson. If you need an introduction to Us Time, a framework for community meetings to build young children’s social and emotional skills, please go to the Us Time landing page.
Introduction to Us Time
Introduce the structure and purpose of Us Time, a framework for classroom community meetings for young students, encouraging teachers to use activities, songs, and stories from Sparkler and our partners to grow kids’ hearts (and build other fundamental early skills, too, in the process).
Explore identity and the things that make each of us unique! Students will learn to notice different skin tones and understand why people come in different colors as they learn to observe the things that make people similar and different.
Use the collage of family photos to spark conversations about how families, like people, are both similar and different.
Students will practice identifying and naming feelings. They will recognize that everyone has feelings, regardless of how they look. They will build empathy for those who are different.
4. That's Not Fair: Standing Up for Others
Use the illustration, “Exploring Exclusion” to help students think about how it feels to be excluded. Older children can consider what it means to be “fair” and begin to think about reasons why someone might be treated unfairly, including racism.
5. Appreciate Culture
Use the illustration “Dragon Boat Festival” to spark conversation about different cultures and cultural celebrations.
6. Review
Students will review what they’ve learned in a classroom celebration of similarities, differences, and helping one another.
Discussing Race: Share the Interactive Guide with Families
Extras: Race & Racism
