Having Brave Conversations with Children About Identities, Diversity, and Fairness Deb Norris September 14, 2021

Young children notice and are curious about the diversity among people and create their own ideas about differences. They pay attention to the positive or negative values adults assign to specific ways of being—and begin to learn socially -prevailing stereotypes and prejudice. As caring and responsible adults, we must not leave young children alone as they try to figure out complex issues that matter to themselves, to their families, to their communities—indeed to all of us. So, how do we talk with young children about who they are, who others are, and about individual fairness and societal justice? This workshop will provide opportunities to reflect on our ideas and feelings about having brave conversations with young children, as well as identify a range of strategies and skills. Real scenarios will offer provocations to develop and strengthen our skills to initiate and guide the conversations that are a vital part of anti-bias education.