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Family Tipsheet: How to Talk to Your Child About Racism

Please note: The information provided in this tipsheet is for reference only. It is not intended as a recommendation or endorsement of organizations, news sources, agencies or private businesses, or as a comprehensive resource list.

When creating this tip sheet, we envisioned that the information placed in it would help families talk to their children about race and race relations.

We hope that you treat this tipsheet as a starting point in your learning journey about acceptance, mutual respect and love. We believe it is important for everyone to understand the challenges faced by parents who identify as being Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and for that reason have included those perspectives.

To those who seek to learn more so that you can educate yourselves and your family on racism, anti-racism and anti-oppression, thank you.  Here you will find facts about:

  • what racism is and its presence in Canada
  • how to explain racism to your child
  • how to reflect on your personal beliefs around race; and
  • suggestions on how to diversify your child’s books and toy collections

Before you start:

  • Racism can be defined as: race prejudice that is supported by social and institutional power; a system of advantage based on race; a system of oppression based on race
  • Anti-Racism refers toactions and practices that challenge and counter racism, inequalities, prejudices, and discrimination based on race.
  • Anti-oppression challenges the systems and systemic biases that devalue and marginalize differences.
  • Diversity & Inclusion have to do with the acknowledgment, valuing, and celebration of difference

 


Based on when you are viewing this tipsheet, the information may not be the most up to date. Please refer to the date this tipsheet was last updated, at the end of the document.   You can also access this tipsheet online at hollandbloorview.ca/covid-19-tipsheets

The facts

How to reflect on your personal bias

Parenting when BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color)  

Caring for the caregiver

Explaining racism to your child 

How caregivers can talk to kids about racism

General resources

Booklists

Diversifying your child’s toy and book collections

We encourage you to visit our website to access all of our COVID-19 or Coronavirus specific family tip sheets, which include virtual activity ideas, explaining COVID-19 to your kids, an example of a home schedule, emergency supports, and more.

If you are looking for other family resources that have to do with childhood disability, please visitwww.hollandbloorview.ca/resourcecentre.

Created by the Family Support Specialists and Family Leaders at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital on 19 June, 2020. Updated February 3, 2022. If you have a question or a resource to share, please feel free to reach out to us at resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca

pdf-iconHow to talk to your child about racism