az grown diversity
SESAME STREET OFFERS NEW RESOURCES to help families discuss race and racism SESAME WORKSHOP — the nonprofit
are not colorblind — not only do they
providing age-appropriate language and
educational organization behind Sesame
first notice differences in race in infancy,
strategies to answer sometimes-tough
Street — is releasing new resources to
but they also start forming their own
questions around race and racism. The
help families talk to young children about
sense of identity at a very young age,” said
tools are meant to help parents have open
race and racism called the “ABCs of
Jeanette Betancourt, senior vice president
conversations with young children and
Racial Literacy.”
of Sesame Workshop. “‘The ABCs of
to engage allies and advocates to become
Racial Literacy’ is designed to foster open,
upstanders against racism.
The rollout is part of Coming Together, Sesame Workshop’s ongoing
age-appropriate conversations among
commitment to racial justice, rooted
families and support them in building racial
by helping children understand what
in extensive research and consultation
literacy. By encouraging these much-needed
racism is and how it hurts and impacts
with experts to develop an educational
conversations through Coming Together,
people,” said Kay Wilson Stallings, Sesame
framework and curriculum for young
we can help children build a positive sense of
Workshop’s executive vice president of
children. It builds on recent efforts focused
identity and value the identities of others.”
creative and production. “Sadly, [this]
on tackling racism and its impact on
“The work to dismantle racism begins
Parents can visit sesameworkshop.
comes at a time of racial and social discord
children, including The Power of We: A
org/comingtogether to sign up for an
when many families are in need of support
Sesame Street Special, the CNN Town
eNewsletter and find helpful resources
in talking to their children about racism.
Hall Coming Together: Standing Up to
that will be continually updated —
We’re proud to reaffirm our Coming
Racism, and other content.
including stories and music videos
Together commitment to racial justice,
designed to help all families celebrate
which will be woven into new Sesame
their own unique identities, while also
Workshop content for years to come.”
“At Sesame Workshop, we look at every issue through the lens of a child. Children
8 April 2021 RaisingARIZONAKids.com
