| health & wellness |
Embrace Race A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Prejudice
It’s never too early to teach kids tolerance—especially in regards to race. But many parents don’t know how to address this tough but meaningful topic. According to experts, it comes down to age-appropriate communication, leading by example, and ensuring the conversation is open and ongoing. Keep reading for even more tips on raising race-conscious children. 28
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| AUGUST 2020 |
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“Before you begin a conversation with your child, think about where you stand on the issue of race. Reflect on any biases you may have and think about the example that you’re setting. Make changes, if needed, and research information about other cultures to educate yourself about the rich history of all the diverse people around you.”— Nkechi Nzerem-Johnson, MD, a pediatrician with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group “Evaluate your own belief system and mindset. Modeling with your actions is one of the most important aspects of parenting. If you aren’t aware of your blind spots (unintentional or intentional) it will affect the way your children view the world.” —Ashlee Janzen, MS, LMFT, ashleejanzenlmft.com “A wonderful resource and book to share with children is Bread is a Simple Food: Teaching Children about Cultures. The author, Cherry Steinwender, shows children the diversity of bread from cultures around the world, but explains that they are all bread, [which helps children internalize the oneness of the human family].”—Jan Merrill, Vice President, Racial Healing Project, GlobalMarketplace.org “Older children often look to the adults in
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by MEGAN WISKUS