How to Teach Kids About Social Justice: Parents, Here's an Easy Place to Start Books Parenting Kids

Ann Marie G. Halstead

May 28, 2020

I often tell my kids that love is more powerful than hate and acceptance is more powerful than prejudice. But we all know that hate and prejudice exist.

One way that we can address this is to diversify our kids’ bookshelves. Doing so allows us to begin important conversations with our kids about open-mindedness, inclusion and social justice. As you select books for your children, keep these tips in mind:

Make sure the story is engaging.

Choose books with multi-dimensional characters different from the people in your own family.

Choose non-fiction titles about historical figures who have fought for basic human rights.

Create a safe, comfortable environment and encourage your child to comment and ask questions as you read together.

Here's a list of books about diversity to get you started!

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Kids Books About Diversity $3 & Up

Comments (7)

Elisa Schmitz

I love this tip, Ann Marie Gardinier Halstead! Reading opens up the world to kids. Whether fiction or nonfiction, books give us all a fresh perspective, which is so needed in our world today!

Jan Mostrom

LOVE this post Ann Marie Gardinier Halstead! Books are an amazing way to teach but we need more books with diverse characters. Maybe your next one:)))?

Ann Marie G. Halstead

Thank you, friends! Jan, the book I'm working on now has two main characters- they're both diverse characters (diverse in different ways)!

Kim Kusiciel

My ten year old daughter is really interested in this topic and is choosing books based on the civil rights movement and other social injustices around the world. It makes my heart happy to know that she wants to read the stories and appreciate them and then take action by spreading kindness and love around her. Thanks for sharing this tip with all of us @amghalstead.

Ann Marie G. Halstead

What a special kid, Kim! My ten year old son has been interested in issues of social justice since he was much younger. I hope this never changes. Happy reading!

Kieran Williams

it became clearer to me now. thank you! my son was interested in social justice for the first time yesterday. I immediately told him about Brown V Board Of Education. It seems to me that this trial has shown, in a very illustrative and very vivid manner, the importance of public and human justice. You can click for more information here if you don't remember what it is about. Black people and white people segregation already continue for so long time in America history. Black children can’t take same school with white children, and they didn’t allowed take bus with white people either. Although the Declaration of Independence stated that “All men are created equal,” due to the institution of slavery, this statement was compromised and it is very scary!

bepositive

What a powerful way to get kids learning about social justice, thanks.

How to Teach Kids About Social Justice: Parents, Here's an Easy Place to Start Books Parenting Kids

Kids Books About Diversity $3 & Up

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