AGIS Conference 2024 Potsdam

There is a common narrative among adults that young children do not see color, that childhood is a utopian, magical time where differences do not matter. Educators often wonder: when is the right time to talk to children about race? Research tells us that even babies as young as three months recognise racial differences. Our world is filled with implicit messages. Children are astute, forming perceptions and attitudes about how the world works. They are already talking! Our silence perpetuates and validates biases. It is time to join the conversation. Open, honest conversations with our youngest learners is one way that we can help develop positive attitudes towards differences and work towards an equitable and just world. During this session, we will explore the research behind children's perceptions of race, have a chance to examine our personal reactions to children's comments and questions about differences, and look at a framework that can help us approach difficult conversations.