Teaching Anti-racism to Kids: Small Talks & Actions

We all try to raise good humans. Amid so much hustle and bustle, lost between “thank you”, “sorry”, and “share” reminders a hundred times a day, we forget to focus on much more important topics. Teaching anti-racism to kids is one of them.

A child who nurtures these values will grow to be polite and empathetic. There’s no need to blame ourselves for our children not answering the stranger or saying thank you for the cookie offered to him by the librarian.

These are all common situations, especially for highly sensitive children who are silent observers at first. Also, forcing a child to shake hands with a stranger or talk with them can be dangerous for his future and send a message that he cannot choose what pleases his body. And we risk raising a people pleaser!

From many perspectives, that is wrong. From many perspectives, teaching anti-racism to kids is so important. Let’s talk about it more!

Teaching anti-racism to kids, age-by-age

You can, and you should teach your kids attitudes. Your role in parenthood is being a calm leader raising a happy, healthy, successful grown-up. Moms, dads and other caregivers should provide children with basic needs such as food, a sense of security and love, and much more.

Teaching anti-racism to infants and toddlers

While it sure is early to focus on talking about racism to infants, it is never too early to show them there are beautiful people of different colours. This plush basket of baby dolls is the best multicultural toy to teach diversity acceptance to them.

Another developmentally appropriate way to bring it up for infants and toddlers is by exposing them to books that support diversity. While babies can only see the difference, toddlers might pick up and adopt some wrong opinions.

The book One Love, based on the song by Bob Marley, is a good choice for both infants and toddlers. Consider teaching anti-racism to kids through a poem book or offer a colouring book, too. There are many great choices on the market.

Since kids of this age are all about visual cues from the world, you might consider buying stuff with packages that feature diversity. It’s unfair that baby products, from diapers to toys, mostly feature white children.

In a grocery store, consider buying packages on which labels are people of other colours. That is one of the most natural ways for children to accept a world with room for everyone, without prejudice. Ever since he was a baby, my son had the opportunity to play with children from different cultures and shop in their stores. Those were beautiful experiences for him.

Teaching anti-racism to babies and toddlers

Preschoolers (ages 3-5) – getting emotional

Kids at this age become more emotionally aware of the world and situations around them. They begin to understand how much words can hurt, whether they feel it on their skin or notice that someone else is sad and disappointed.

Last year, my son was 5. One day, we went on a playdate with a friend who, in addition to her two children, also brought a boy whose mom couldn’t spend time with him outside because she was under house arrest.

The boy was so rude that my friend and I constantly warned him about offensive language. Everything broke the moment he called the polite African father and child derogatory name. I couldn’t sit still.

Not only it was the wrong thing to do, but he was “kinda cool” in the eyes of the older kids at the playground. My son and my friend’s daughter (both ages 5) were playing with that little boy and were disappointed with what happened.

On the other side, my friend’s son (7 years old) was laughing because he wanted to be cool like others. And that boy truly is a calm and genuine soul.

I immediately approached a group of boys who were laughing out loud and shamed them for their behaviour, and then I sent a message to that boy’s mom and apologized for yelling at him. His mom, to my surprise, thanked me for doing that and spending time with her son on the playground.

The point of the story: start them young. Start when they are just beginning to understand all the emotions. When they still do not need to prove themselves in society. Those children will change the world.

Some of the most effective ways of teaching anti-racism to kids this age are to talk about racism and play videos. Superheroes can be all colours! Take action through books and toys that support diversity.

Books are a great way to introduce racism to kids

Elementary school children (6-12) – name it

This childhood chapter differs from the previous ones because children understand the term racism and can take action against it. Children will express their attitudes about racism within the family. Whether they will consider it non-acceptable in silence or be able to fight back outside – depends on you.

Teaching anti-racism to kids starts from the “be the change” mindset. Teach your kids to stand aside with friends of different colours and talk about differences as beautiful. Help them understand scientific facts of why there are red, yellow, black, white or brown skin colours.

Discuss the unfair treatment people of colour get everywhere. It starts with bullying in school and goes to lower salaries and exclusion in all kinds of ways. This book is truly the best to read to explain all the lows of racism to kids this age. You can also watch a video featuring the whole book.

I would also recommend girls play with toys like an African curly-haired doll or choose a Barbie doll that looks like her or her friend.

Boys might enjoy the Kids of the World memory game, this book about Ninjas from all over the world or the cute Asian doll family set. The more diversity they see, the more acceptable they become.

Anti-racism activites for elementary school children

Teens and tweens (12 and up) – strong emotions

Anti-racism protests happen for a good reason. Many uneducated people generalize and consider young children problematic just because of their skin colour. Some families have no right to live in a wealthy neighbourhood or afford the school they want for their children.

Older children have quite a lot of problems in school and daily life. The excluding and bullying treatment they get from peers comes from a household that supports racism or from a family afraid of teaching anti-racism to kids.

We should remind our children we are beautiful in our differences. We should remind them that it is unfair for some children to feel unsafe or get lectures from their worried parents on staying safe outside.

Expose your big children to educational podcasts about supporting all races. Download this activity book for African American families going through a tough time. Give your children support to join anti-racism movements and be the change themselves.