From The Start

A Parent’s Guide to Talking About Racial Bias

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How Do Kids Understand Race and Identity?

Learning how young children comprehend the concept of race is crucial to guiding their understanding of it.

74.1 million

2 Years

6 Months

Total number of children under 5 years old in the US. The year 2020 marked the first time children of color made up the majority.

The age by which a child may start to internalize racial bias. It often starts between the ages of 2 and 4.

The age by which a baby's brain may start to notice race-based differences.

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We met with the experts to uncover how to talk to your kids about race.

How Do Kids Understand Race

Learning how young children comprehend the concept of race is crucial to guiding their understanding of it.

Great Communication Starts With Understanding Your Kid

Your little one understands more than you think. Here's how to talk to them.

5 Ways Parents Can Shape Views on Racism

From your baby’s birth onward, you’re the most important influence on their belief systems.

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On December 8, 2020, we held a live streamed event focused on on giving parents the most effective tools to engage in conversations about race and anti-bias with their children aged 0-5. Featuring segments on getting to know your kids, getting comfortable with discomfort, and embracing and celebrating diversity. Moderated by Scary Mommy's Micaela Birmingham, featuring child development experts Dr. Jennifer Harvey, Kaitlin Williams & Andrew Grant-Thomas of Embrace Race.

Did you miss our live event?

Continue your anti-bias learning through our expert-led videos.

Mommy & Me, And Daddy Too

Mommy and Me classes provide both a child's first school experience and some of their first social interactions. This video presentation for children 0 to 5 and their parents incorporates lessons on anti-bias learning.

5 Questions About Kids & Race

Child-development expert Dr. Jacqueline Douge answers questions from parents of kids 0 to 5 about what their kids know and don't know about race and bias. Moderated by Scary Mommy's Micaela Birmingham.

Getting to Know Your Neighbors

This uplifting video explores and celebrates diversity and cultural differences while giving practical examples of everyday actions parents can take to build the habits of anti-bias behaviors in their kids 0-5.

Books and other anti-bias resources for you to read with your children and on your own.

Antiracist Baby

Kendi is a National Book Award Winner. This is a very accessible board book that breaks down complex subject matter into kid-friendly verse.

Dr. Y. Joy Harris-Smith

Kaitlyn Williams

School Counselor, Parenting Coach and Mental Health Advocate

Katelyn Williams Is a licenced and nationally certified School Counselor and a Mental Health Advocate, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC. She has a passion for breaking down the stigma around mental health and parent education, with a focus on ethnically diverse individuals and individuals of faith. In her role as parent educator, Katelyn works to empower parents to confidently care for and support their children’s development. She is a Weldon Pro; a digital platform that provides parents with personalized, evidence-backed, parenting advice from best-in-class child development experts.

At Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. we believe that what happens in pregnancy and early childhood impacts one’s physical and emotional health all the way through to adulthood. It’s our pride, our passion and our purpose to help every child get the healthiest start to life; making the world a healthier and more vibrant place.

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19.5 million

US population growth between 2010 and 2019. During this time frame, Latino or Hispanic, Asian American, and Black populations grew by 20, 29, and 8.5 percent, respectively.

4–5 Years

The age when kids start to verbalize and apply labels to things and people they see.

Total number of African Americans in the United States. More than 78 percent of Black adults say the legacy of slavery affects the position of Black people in America today.

42 million

Scientific studies have shown that kids 0 to 5 are aware of race and identity.

0-5 Years

The percentage of Americans, in a 2019 Pew survey, that said it has become more common for people to express racist or racially insensitive views.

65%

The age that children can begin to show discomfort or even fear toward people with different skin color, language, or physical ability.

2-3 Years

From the Start

Featured

By The Numbers

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The Black Friend

Using personal anecdotes and interviewing other writers and activists, this book is a resolute call for accomplices, not just allies.

Fences

The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning play tells the story of a frustrated, former Negro League baseball player in the 1950s, and the conflicts he faces with family.

The Undefeated

This skin-tingling, 2020 Caldecott Medal winning picture book pays tribute to Black American excellence and the Black struggle in America.

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Hair Love

This book is an absolute gem, sparkling bright with joy and that special daddy-daughter bond. When little Zuri needs help with her hair that has a mind of its own, dad steps in with a comb.

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Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together?

This book takes a look at racism from a psychological lens.

6 Myths About Race and Children

Ridding yourself of these myths is crucial to raising kids who are understanding and inclusive of others.

A reading list of great books about race, diversity, and inclusion for the whole family.

The New Reading Rainbow

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Dr. Y. Joy Harris-Smith

Dr. Jennifer Harvey

Author, and Professor of religion at Drake University

The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey is an award-winning author, educator and public speaker. Her work focuses on ethics and race, gender, sexuality, activism, spirituality and politics—with particular attention to how religion shows up in these dimensions of our shared social life. Her greatest passion and longtime work, however, persistently and pointedly return to racial justice and white anti-racism. Jen publishes in numerous academic and public outlets. Her essay Are We Raising Racists? spent nearly a week on the New York Times “ten most read pieces” list. She has written for CNN, Huffington Post, Sojourners on-line, The Conversation and countless other venues.

Dr. Y. Joy Harris-Smith

Andrew Grant-Thomas

Co-Founder of Embrace Race

Andrew Grant-Thomas is the Co-Founder of Embrace Race; an organization of parents, teachers, experts, and other caring adults who support each other to meet the challenges that race poses to our children, families, and communities at large. "My main commitments are to promoting racial and social justice ... Above all, ... I want to support work that engages problems that really matter, where success will make a meaningful difference for real people and communities - not 100 years from now, but in my lifetime and the lifetimes of my two young daughters."

Dr. Y. Joy Harris-Smith

Dr. Jacqueline Douge

pediatrician and author

Dr. Jacqueline Douge is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and co-author of The American Academy of Pediatrics’ policy statement on the impact of racism on children. Her 23+ years of experience in the medical field as a physician (pediatrician) and public health administrator has bolstered her belief in health equity with an emphasis on access to healthcare, wellness and prevention, and child health. She is a graduate of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and has spoken athortavely on issues of race and children during several media appearances including TODAY SHOW, and WHAT IS BLACK, Podcast.

Dr. Y. Joy Harris-Smith

Jelani Memory

Children’s book author and co-founder of A Kids Book About.

Jelani Memory is the Co-Founder and CEO at A Kids Book About and Co-Founder at Circle and Narrative. “I'm a bit obsessed with making things that matter.” says the serial entrepreneur. Speaking about his Kids Book About company he shares that, “ We make kids books that matter. There are no dragons, silly bears, or cute tales about princesses. Only the challenging, empowering, and important topics that kids experience every day. Kids' lives are complicated, and our mission is to help kids and their grownups have honest conversations about things that matter.” Jelani is a husband and father of six.

Dr. Y. Joy Harris-Smith

Vanessa Newton

Children's Book Author and Illustrator

Vanessa Brantley Newton is an author, poet, and illustrator, performer and diversity activist. She has illustrated over 80 Childrens’ books and has written and illustrated 5 books of her own, including a book of poetry, titled, JUST LIKE ME. Vanessa travels the country to schools meeting children, reading her books and singing inspirational songs. In 2017, she was asked to do a TEDX talk. She chose Diversity Designed by Adversity as the subject. A few years ago Vanessa was invited to be the KeyNote speaker at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) annual conference. She told an inspirational story about a Goat who fell down a well, her editor was in the audience, and made an offer immediately on the story.

A segment from our "From The Start" live event. Get to know how your kid's brain is developing and how their young minds grasp concepts about race.

Getting Comfortable with Discomfort

A segment from our "From The Start" live event. Learn ways to get comfortable having tough discussions about race with your kids.

Embracing & Celebrating Diversity

This uplifting video explores & celebrates diversity and cultural differences while giving practical examples of everyday actions parents can take to build the habits of anti-bias behaviors in their kids 0-5.

19.5 million

US population growth between 2010 and 2019. During this time frame, Latino or Hispanic, Asian American, and Black populations grew by 20, 29, and 8.5 percent, respectively.

4-5 Years

The age when kids start to verbalize and apply labels to things and people they see.

2 Years

The age by which a child may start to internalize racial bias. It often starts between the ages of 2 and 4.

42 million

Total number of African Americans in the United States. More than 78 percent of Black adults say the legacy of slavery affects the position of Black people in America today.

0-5 Years

Scientific studies have shown that kids 0 to 5 are aware of race and identity.

6 Months

The age by which a baby's brain may start to notice race-based differences.

65%

The percentage of Americans, in a 2019 Pew survey, that said it has become more common for people to express racist or racially insensitive views.

2-3 Years

The age that children can begin to show discomfort or even fear toward people with different skin color, language, or physical ability.

Learn More

Andrew Grant-Thomas

Co-Founder of Embrace Race

Dr. Jacqueline Douge

pediatrician and author

Jelani Memory

Children’s book author and co-founder of A Kids Book About.

Vanessa Newton

Children's Book Author and Illustrator

Meet the leaders who helped us break down racial bias for you and your children.

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How to Talk to Young Kids About Race

Frequently asked questions from parents of young kids, answered.

As a parent, it’s crucial to address your own implicit biases and help your kids do the same.

The Origins of Bias - And Teaching Our Kids How to Fight Them

How to Help Kids Build Racial Literacy

Here’s how to begin the process of seeing more and talking productively about our differences.

As a parent, it’s crucial to address your own implicit biases and help your kids do the same.

The Origins of Bias - And Teaching Our Kids How to Fight Them

How to to tackle topics like bias and inclusion head-on with a toddler or preschooler.

22 Small Actions Parents Can Take to Shape the Future

Getting Comfortable with Discomfort

A segment from our "From The Start" live event. Learn ways to get comfortable having tough discussions about race with your kids.

Embracing & Celebrating Diversity

A segment from our "From The Start" live event. Find ways your kids can seek out diversity and celebrate the uniqueness of the world around them.

Getting to Know Your Kids

Coming Soon

How to Help Kids Build Racial Literacy

Here’s how to begin the process of seeing more and talking productively about our differences.

Frequently asked questions from parents of young kids, answered.

How to Talk to Young Kids About Race

Coming Soon

How to explore the world through books.

Anti-Bias Reading Activities for Kids Ages 0-5

How to to tackle topics like bias and inclusion head-on with a toddler or preschooler.

22 Small Actions Parents Can Take to Shape the Future

Frequently asked questions from parents of young kids, answered.

How to Talk to Young Kids About Race

How to explore the world through books.

Anti-Bias Reading Activities for Kids Ages 0-5

How to explore the world through books.

Anti-Bias Reading Activities for Kids Ages 0-5

How to explore the world through books.

Anti-Bias Reading Activities for Kids Ages 0-5