George Floyd Square in Minneapolis has become a creative memorial and gathering space for healing. It also tells a much bigger story about racism, policing, and the struggle for racial justice in this country and around the world. All of this can be complicated and confusing for a young child. So how can we help children make sense of this? In this episode, Early Risers host Dianne Haulcy visits George Floyd Square with early childhood education expert Sheila Williams Ridge. Together they unpack how parents and caregivers can prepare to bring young children here, including what to do and say to help children heal.

Guest: Sheila Williams Ridge

Sheila Williams Ridge is co-director of the Child Development Laboratory School at the University of Minnesota. She’s also co-author of “Nature-Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Budget.”

Download the Discussion Guide

https://files.apmcdn.org/production/245348fa8a040a803928bb7ec3c2f182.pdf

More Resources:

George Floyd Global Memorial

George Floyd and Anti-Racist Street Art Archive

From MPR News with Angela Davis: Coping with prolonged grief over George Floyd, mass shootings and the pandemic

From NPR: Many know how George Floyd died. A new biography reveals how he lived