How do children learn about race or racism? Is it ever too early to start talking to them about it? What kinds of conversations should we be having with young children about these issues? In this special episode of Early Risers, host Dianne Haulcy revisits highlights from some of her past interviews with educators, psychologists, children’s book authors, brain researchers, therapists, and others. Together these experts offer insights, practical tools, and guidance for raising children with an understanding of cultural differences, racism and implicit bias.

The voices include:

• Dr. Rosemarie Allen - associate professor, School of Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Louise Derman-Sparks - anti-bias education expert and author, “What if All the Kids Are White?”
• Dr. Damien Fair - cognitive neuroscientist and co-director, Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, University of Minnesota
• Peggy Flanagan - 50th Lieutenant Governor, state of Minnesota
• Christina Gonzalez - director of Student Support Services for Richfield Public Schools, Richfield, Minnesota
• Beth Hall - executive director, PACT, An Adoption Alliance
• Brook LaFloe - early childhood educator and entrepreneur
• Resmaa Menakem - therapist, coach and author, “My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies”
• Bao Phi - Writer and award-winning children’s book author, “A Different Pond”
• Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum - psychologist and author, “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? and Other Conversations About Race.”

Episode resources:

Anti-bias educator and author Louise Derman-Sparks describes the creative use of persona dolls as a tool for promoting inclusion and reducing bias. Here’s an example of how persona dolls are being used in one early childhood classroom.

University of Minnesota cognitive neuroscientist Damien Fair discusses the Harvard Implicit Association Test, which includes a variety of free online assessments where you can gain insight about your own implicit biases.

Early childhood educator and entrepreneur Brook LaFloe describes an Indigenous cultural resource called the medicine wheel that helped her to conceptualize the interconnectedness of the different peoples of the world as a child.

There is a lack of racial and cultural diversity in children’s book characters as well as authors. EmbraceRace crowdsourced a list of recommended children’s books, featuring “kids of color being themselves.”