Everyone agrees it’s critical to teach Black history to kids with learning differences and ADHD, as well as to students who get special education. But what’s the best way to teach it? How can families engage their kids in Black history — as well as in current events in the Black community? 

This episode features Kimberly Eckert, 2018 Louisiana Teacher of the Year, in a conversation about race, parenting, and Black history. Kimberly shares her personal experience growing up as a biracial Black woman in a bayou in the South, and how she talks about race with her daughter today. She describes “80/20 time,” a method to get kids engaged in learning. Co-hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace also share their picks for books and activities for kids — especially Black boys — to learn about Black history.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

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Resources for teaching Black history to kids

• “Young, Gifted, and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes From Past and Present,” by Jamia Wilson (Julian’s pick)
• “I Am... (Positive Affirmations for Brown Boys),” by Aeysha Rodriguez (Marissa’s pick)
• “Teaching Your Child About Black History,” from PBS (Marissa’s pick)
• “Black American History,” a Crash Course on YouTube (Producer’s pick)
• Harriett's Bookshop (Julian’s pick)
• Uncle Bobbie's Bookshop (Julian’s pick)

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give