How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

That we are all the same but look different?

At at what age should you talk to them about it?

Or

Let children figure it out on their own?

TIA. I had a conversation with someone last night and I did not agree with the way they are handling this and I was just wondering what is the appropriate way to handle it.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

I don't think you need to unless they ask.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

Message edited 4/20/2006 10:05:19 AM.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

well Marissa is 6 and she just recently made a comment about race. We never spoke to her about people being of different races. When she would speak to me about a child in her class who was of a different race or skin tone she would say Joey who is light brown or dark brown. We never stressed the race factor.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

I teach 1st grade this year, taught k last year and pre-k for 3 years before that and we discuss it often in my class, especially since i work in an area of brooklyn that is predominantly hispanic and there are so many shades of skin in my class.

we discuss it very much as a beautiful thing. how it would be boring if we all looked exactly the same and just like our world has many beautiful colors people are many beautiful colors and it makes us all a bit more unique and interesting. i find that my students are very PROUD of the colors of thier skin and talk about it openly. also when we do african american history month and women's history month they get very excited to learn about a famous person in history who shares a similar color skin as they do.


ETA: in Kindergarten one of the first units of study in social studies is "All about Me" so the topic first gets introduced there, but we don't just focus on skin color. We also talk about hair color, texture (curley vs straight), eye color, etc. all are part of the differences that make us unique.

Message edited 4/20/2006 10:11:46 AM.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

Melbernai -

Thanks for posting this. It's something I definitely need to address.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

There is a book called Shades of Black -- I will look for the link .... I read that to my students when we first start talking about it. And since I am lucky enough to work in a community with ALL colors -- seriously some of my students who are from DR are darker then some of my african american students -- it's a book that applies to all of us. I even point out how "white" people aren't all the same shade -- I'm very light with a lot of pink in my skin, but some white people are different.

I think that once it becomes a possitive thing that you can talk about openly it is not such an issue. My students get excited and like I said, PROUD, of thier skin color. It doesn't have to be taboo. It can be such an amazing thing to discuss with the students because they are so innocent and if you let them know that it is a beautiful thing then hopefully they'll carry that with them for the rest of thier lives.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

since my family is the all different races and religons, James is and will be exposed to different cultures early on.
I try to explain that we are all different, but all very special. Just like there are all different kinds of flowers, and how a garden would be very boring with only one kind of flower in only one color. I tell him that all the different flowers in all the different colors makes a very pretty and special garden. I usually show him all the different flowers in our yard, and then we still with a book that he has that pictures people from all different races.
I know that he is still a little young to completly understand this concept...but I think the earlier he does grasp this concept the easier he will adjust to meeting kids of all races and religons when he starts school.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

Here is the link to the book on amazon -- Shades of Black

also if you look there are a lot of similar titles. books are a great way to get kids talking about something like this. i have this book in boardbook for Emily even though we are so white it is unbelievable - just because I want to raise a child who is aware and accepting of everyone.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

I guess I never said how I exlained to Marissa...DH & I told her that everyone is different. We are all of different heights, skin colors and shapes. So we told her that it's great to be different and that no one is better than the other. God made us all different for so many reasons.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

Sorry if I am going on and on about this topic. It is just one that I feel so stronly about. I seriously believe that working in such a diverse community has made me such a better person. I really appreciate this stuff, it means so much to me.

Here are some more links to books on Amazon.

Whoever You Are By Mem Fox
Sesame Street: We're DIfferent, We're the Same
The COlors of Us by Karen Katz
All the COlors of the Earth

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

Thanks Melissa!!!! I'm going to look for these books for Marissa.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

Thank you so much. These books are great

I feel that the parent should have definetly dicussed this issue with her child instead of ignoring it when he made a bad comment about another child's skin color. That is what get's me so mad

She want's to keep him innocent as long as possible (her words)

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

I feel that the parent should have definetly dicussed this issue with her child instead of ignoring it when he made a bad comment about another child's skin color. That is what get's me so mad


see, I don't agree w/ her thinking. If my daughter came home and made a negative remark about someone else's race or skin color we would address the issue. If I ignore it she will think it's ok.

Message edited 4/20/2006 10:35:03 AM.

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

I know. That is what get's me so angry

How is that keeping a child innocent?

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

Not yet a parent, but GREAT thread!

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

Posted by 5ofClubs

I know. That is what get's me so angry

How is that keeping a child innocent?

Re: How do you explain to a child (race/culture)...

I don't know the person, but it could be a reflection of thier beliefs towards race. If she ignored it because she wants him to stay "innocent" then what is she trying to prevent him from thinking?