Supporting Children and Families

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Resources from EmbraceRace.org

EmbraceRace was founded in early 2016 by two parents who set out to create a community and gather the resources needed to meet the challenges faced by those raising children in a world where race matters.

Below are some resources from EmbraceRace that may be useful to child care providers, parents and other caregivers.

Addressing Racial Injustice with Young Children

In this conversation, authors Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins and Ann Hazzard present excerpts from their book, Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice, and discuss how parents and caregivers can spark conversations about racial injustice and child empowerment with young children. In the article linked to below, you'll find an edited transcript of the conversation - the community Q&A starts halfway through - followed by a list of resources shared and then by our special guest bios.

“I [STILL] can’t breathe”: Supporting Kids of Color Amid Racialized Violence

In this recorded resource, EmbraceRace talks with child psychologist Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith. With COVID-19 as backdrop, some predict a “long, hot summer.” Others see a promising new determination by many whites to become a vigorous part of the solution. In this complicated context, what conversations about policing, violence, safety, justice and race should we be having with our children of color?

Managing Racial Stress and Teaching Kids to Do the Same

We live in deeply stressful times. COVID. Racial tension and violence. Political polarization. Dire economic straits. The physical and emotional costs of stress crosses all demographic lines, but we know that the burden of chronic stress falls disproportionately on frequently targeted, racialized communities – Black, brown, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx and multiracial among them. Chronic stress of any kind takes a toll on the mind and body; racial stress experienced by targeted groups has measurable and negative impacts on marginalized communities, including children.

Happily, there are strategies and practices we can use to lessen the effects of racial stress on our bodies and minds and on our parenting.

Moving “The Talk” to “The Walk” for Black Children

In many homes across the country, “The Talk” is less often about the “birds and the bees” and more often about how we can help our Black, brown and Indigenous children, in particular, be relatively safe from racial aggression, especially by police officers.

Sesame for Families

Throughout your daily life, and especially during times of adversity and stress, taking small moments to practice self-care can improve your health and happiness. When you‘re at your best, you‘re better able to support the children in your care. Modeling self-care — like focusing on the positives and practicing healthy habits — can help children learn to manage tough times, too. Every month, Sesame Street in Communities (SSIC) shares resources about the importance of caring for ourselves in ways that support the emotional well-being of children, families, and Head Start staff.