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Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho
In this book, a young girl realizes that her eyes are not big and round like her peers, instead they kiss in the corners. At home, she celebrates her shared appearance with her mother, grandmother, and sister and gains confidence and appreciation for her own unique beauty.

Ho, Joanna. (2021). Eyes That Kiss in the Corners. New York, New York: Harper an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FKB8ZWX/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

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I am Enough by Grace Byers

In this book, a little girl compares herself to things in the world around her. She celebrates her strengths and her differences, finally declaring, “I am enough!”

Byers, G., & Bobo, K. A. (2018). I Am Enough. New York: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086JXS83F/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

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Noni Says No by Heather Hartt-Sussman

Noni is a people pleaser who wants to make her best friend happy, often resulting in her own discomfort. This book is about how Noni learns to set boundaries, stand up for herself, and say no.

Hartt-Sussman, Heather. (2011).  Noni says no. Toronto: Tundra Books.

https://www.amazon.com/Noni-Says-No-Heather-Hartt-Sussman/dp/177049233X

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Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy

This book tells the story of a young girl who is bullied for her unusual food choices. She uses kindness and compassion to stand up for herself.

Dismondy, M., & Shaw, K. (2017). Spaghetti in a hot dog bun: Having the courage to be who you are. Dearborn Heights: Cardinal Rule Press.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BB7R8ZA/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

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The Sandwich Swap by Rania Al-Abdullah

This story is about best friends who get into a heated argument about who’s sandwich is better, peanut butter and jelly or pita bread and hummus. The next day, the friends taste each other’s sandwiches and discover that difference is not bad.

Rania, Q., Tusa, T., & DiPucchio, K. (2010). The sandwich swap (1st U.S. ed.). New York: Disney/Hyperion Books.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+sandwich+swap&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

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The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

This is a beautiful story of a young girl on her first school day after moving from Korea. She is worried about her Korean name being so different from the names of her American classmates. Together, she and her friends learn to appreciate the beauty of her Korean name.

Choi, Y. (2003). The Name Jar. Dragonfly Books.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FUZPS6G/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

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ADL Parent, Family, and Caregiver Anti-Bias Education Resources

This webpage gives families and educators access to a wide variety of resources covering topics including table talk, anti-bias tools and strategies, bullying and cyberbullying, children’s literature, classroom conversations, and early childhood questions.

Parent, family, and caregiver resources. Anti-Defamation League. (n.d.). https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/parent-family-and-caregiver-resources.

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Strategies, tips and resources to help parents, family members and caregivers impart to the children in their lives values and principles about diversity, address bias and bullying and challenge injustices in the world.

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Age Appropriate Lessons to Raise Anti-Racist Kids

This article from Bright Horizons offers helpful tips and strategies on how to raise authentically anti-racist children. It provides links to more resources, such as podcasts and additional articles on the same topic.

Age-appropriate lessons to raise Anti-Racist Kids. Bright Horizons®. (n.d.). https://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/age-appropriate-lessons-to-raise-anti-racist-kids

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Events of 2020 and 2021 that placed anti-racism front and center have people asking themselves what they can do better. For parents, there's an extra layer of soul searching about how to raise authentically anti-racist kids.

But practically speaking, how do you do that? What can you do to genuinely lay the groundwork for children who understand what social justice means?

"It's a great question," said Rachel Robertson, Bright Horizons vice president of learning and development, on our 2020 webinar, Raising Anti-Racist Kids: What to Say and Do. "You're not sitting your children down and telling them something and then it's over," she said. "It's about what you're doing all the time."

Make Anti-Racism Your Family Culture

Talking to your kids about racism represents one way you can raise anti-racist children. So, what else can you do to bring anti-racism into your child's world? Here are five ways to get started.

Look critically at your books and toys. Families often gravitate to stories and toys that feel familiar. But that limits your children's world view to people who look just like them. Worse, some of the old favorites we knew from childhood may actually perpetuate racial bias. Instead, look for stories like " The Snowy Day" that depict black characters doing familiar things. Likewise, choose play figurines with the same critical eye on diversity. "Diversity can be found in stories and toys," says Rachel. "But you have to intentionally seek them out."

Expand and broaden your circle. The same tendencies that limit what we see in playthings can also limit perspectives in real life. "Many of us live don't live in places that organically provide multiple perspectives," says Rachel. If yours is a homogeneous world, step out of it: attend community cultural celebrations; visit museums; expand your dining repertoire to new restaurants and foods. They key is to choose activities and ideas your family enjoys. "Do those things where you can learn about or be around people that are different," says Rachel. "Natural relationships will evolve those experiences."

Model critical thinking and learning. Are you uncomfortable with a situation? Do you feel you could have done something differently - or better? Don't be shy about sharing. Thinking out loud - "I'm wondering how to answer this question?" "What's the best way to respond to something someone just said?" - might feel silly at first. But the window into your thought process - the fact that you're processing these things at all - shows willingness to learn, and helps children to become comfortable challenging their own thinking.

Build curiosity and empathy. Events in the news can be too big for children to grasp. Role playing takes it off the big national stage and frames it in a way children can understand. Talk about an example and act it out. Find teachable moments in books and ask children if they know what the character is thinking. More than merely explaining what racism is, such thoughtful engagement translates to how it feels, and helps children understand why anti-racism matters so much.

Tap into fairness and justice - and take action. Racial injustice doesn't only happen on the world stage; it's on the school bus, the playground, in class. Role playing, then, does more than just define the social, emotional, and psychological impacts of racism - but also what to do when kids encounter it. Talk together about tangible ways to stand up to discrimination and injustice - whether that means acting boldly in the face of unfairness you encounter, or exploring how to contribute to justice on a larger level.

Most of all, remember what anti-racism means: it is more than one action or a single philosophy. The act of including people is more like a language you incorporate into your vernacular - the more you speak it, the more it becomes a natural part of your family's core and everyday life.

Teach. Play. Love. Podcast: Let's Talk about Race

Listen to this important discussion and get advice from our early childhood experts about how you can start (and continue) the discussion of race with children of all ages.

More Anti-Racism Resources

Read this article for more ideas on talking to children about race.

What will it take to raise truly anti-racist children? Watch our panel discussion, "Raising Anti-Racist Children: What to Say and Do" to hear from our early education and diversity and inclusion experts.

Looking for a list of books that help teach diversity? Take a look at our list, compiled by our Bright Horizons early education team.

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Age-Appropriate Lessons to Raise Anti-Racist Kids

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Events of 2020 and 2021 that placed anti-racism front and center have people asking themselves what they can do better. For parents, there's an extra layer of soul searching about how to raise authentically anti-racist kids. But practically speaking, how do you do that?

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Roots and Wings by Stacey York

This book is a guide for educators seeking to implement anti-bias curriculum. It outlines a variety of anti-bias activities organized according to the four goals of anti-bias education.

York, S. (1991). Roots & wings: Affirming culture in early childhood programs. St. Paul, Minn: Redleaf Press.
https://www.amazon.com/Roots-Wings-Affirming-Preventing-Childhood/dp/1605544558/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Roots+and+Wings&qid=1631663787&sr=8-1

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Developing Empathy in Young Children: Explaining Theory of the Mind
This video explains the cognitive milestone called theory of the mind and discusses how to help children develop empathy. There are also links to additional resources on developing empathy in young children.

Developing empathy in young children: Explaining theory of mind. Bright Horizons®. (n.d.). https://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/developing-empathy-in-young-children-explaining-theory-of-mind.

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Empathy is a critical life skill, but how and when does it develop in young children? Learn more from Rachel Robertson, Bright Horizons education and development vice president, about the cognitive milestone called "theory of mind" and how you can encourage your child to become an empathetic, caring individual.

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Developing Empathy in Young Children: Explaining Theory of Mind

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Empathy is a critical life skill, but how and when does it develop in young children? Learn more from Rachel Robertson, Bright Horizons education and development vice president, about the cognitive milestone called "theory of mind" and how you can encourage your child to become an empathetic, caring individual.

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Drawn Together by Minh Lê

This is the story of a boy and his grandfather who do not speak the same language. They learn to communicate through their shared love of art.

Lê, M., & Santat, D. (2018). Drawn Together. First edition. Los Angeles: Disney/Hyperion.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076FN3Z9S/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

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The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin
This book describes colors based on imagery. It is illustrated in black and white with raised lines and includes Braille lettering. It encourages young children to empathize with people who are visually impaired.
Cottin, M., Faría, R., & Amado, E. (2008). The Black Book of Colors (1st English ed.). Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press.
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Book-Colors-Menena-Cottin/dp/0888998732

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Disability History Museum

The Disability History Museum is a virtual museum where families can learn more about the history of disabilities and how they were addressed in society.

Disability history museum. (n.d.). https://www.disabilitymuseum.org/dhm/index.html.

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The Disability History Museum hosts a Library of virtual artifacts, Education curricula, and Museum exhibits. These programs are designed to foster research and study about the historical experiences of people with disabilities and their communities.

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The Disability History Museum promotes understanding about the historical experience of people with disabilities by recovering, chronicling, and interpreting their stories.

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Teaching Your Child About Disabilities and Different Abilities
This article includes many tips on encouraging children to be inclusive with their peers who have differing abilities. It includes links to additional resources of the same type.

Play, U. (2019, August 14). Teaching your child about disabilities and different abilities. Unlimited Play - Universally Accessible Playgrounds. https://unlimitedplay.org/teaching-your-child-about-disabilities/.

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Unlimited Play - Universally Accessible Playgrounds

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5 Tips to Raise More Inclusive Kids

You may have said or done something in front of your child thinking they did not notice - until they copied it. Young children soak up the actions, words and ideas of people around them like sponges. Other times, they blurt out bold questions unexpectedly, such as: " Mom! Why is that big kid sitting in a chair with wheels?!" Embarrassing though it may seem, these questions create important opportunities for parents to talk to their children about disabilities.

The natural curiosity of your child can be channeled into acceptance and understanding of people from diverse backgrounds, including peers who have a disability. Here are a few suggestions to help you teach your child about inclusion.

1. Lead by Example and Model Inclusive Behavior

If you want your child to be inclusive, you should be incorporating those values into your own behavior. Otherwise, you run the risk of teaching them to "Do as I say, not as I do."

The first thing to consider is the language you use, particularly when speaking about people who are different from you - whether they be people of a different size, race, religion, socioeconomic status, age or ability. To ensure that you are modeling inclusion in your language, remember to:

Use "Person-First" Language.
Person-First or "People-First" Language refers to the order of words that are used to describe a person. For example, instead of referring to someone as "Epileptic," it is preferable to say "a person with Epilepsy." When utilizing Person-First Language, differences become a secondary adjective, instead of the defining characteristic. This language focuses more on the individual and their value as a person.

Eliminate Use of the R-Word.
Hopefully, you and your family have already taken this step! The word "retarded" is an outdated and offensive term that your child may overhear and even repeat. Have a conversation with your child about why this word is so hurtful, and why it is important to you that they refrain from saying it. Then, you can both take a pledge to help educate others about ending use of the R-word whenever you overhear it.

Make Helpful and Gentle Corrections.
As your child is learning about the world around them, they will make honest mistakes. If your child makes an insensitive or thoughtless comment, it is important to avoid any knee-jerk reaction to scold them. The best thing to do is to start a conversation. "I'd like to talk about what you just said," will be much more constructive than saying "Don't call them a 'weirdo' ever again!"

2. Embrace Similarities AND Differences

Children with disabilities are children just the same. As a parent, you can help your child understand that a classmate who looks or talks differently than them probably also likes superheroes, cookies and playing outside. When we focus on what we have in common with others, we can build meaningful connections.

While similarities can help people build common ground for a friendship, it is also important to celebrate our differences! All people are unique. Everyone has something special about them that makes them who they are - not just persons with a disability and persons without. To help your child understand this, take them to a garden and observe all of the beautiful, colorful flowers. How different would that garden be if all the flowers were the same?!

Recommendation: The 2017 movie " Wonder" features a young boy named Auggie who has Treacher Collins syndrome, which is characterized by facial disfigurements. In the movie, Auggie struggles with bullying and making friends in his new 5 th grade classroom. This family-friendly film is an important watch for children and parents alike.

3. Diversify Your Everyday Experiences

By making diverse cultures and experiences a common presence in your home, your child will have more opportunities to practice inclusion. You can start by incorporating books that include underrepresented groups, and promote diversity in your home library. You can also have friends of a different culture over to share a meal, such as a Friday Sabbath dinner with neighbors who are Jewish, or a meatless meal during Lent with neighbors who are Catholic.

Because we live in the digital age, the internet can also be a valuable resource for teaching your child about diverse living experiences. The CDC has developed an online interactive tool called Kids' Quest that uses superheroes to teach children about disabilities in a way that they are able to understand, including:

ADHD;

Autism Spectrum;

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs);

Hearing Loss;

Mobility;

Tourette Syndrome (TS); and,

Vision Impairment.

Kids' Quest also provides information for parents on specific disabilities, and how to help your child understand them.

4. Have a Serious Conversation About Bullying

Children with disabilities are much more likely to be bullied than their peers. However, research indicates that bullying is reduced by 57% when a classmate or peer intervenes. By educating your child on how to respond when they observe someone being bullied, your child can help be a part of the solution. More importantly, your child is helping to make the world a safer, friendlier place for everyone.

Very young children may not understand that a disability is not a sickness. Furthermore, they may think that a disability is something they can "catch," like the flu. This train of thought can lead to bullying behavior, even if just as social avoidance. If you notice that your child is hesitant to approach someone who looks or acts differently than them, this is a great opportunity to have a meaningful conversation.

Recommendation: Stopbullying.gov has several resources to engage parents and youth
in the mission to prevent bullying. Share them with your family and parent-teacher organization today!

5. Facilitate Inclusion During Play!

Play is an integral part of a child's learning and development. However, not all play areas are designed for children and caregivers of all abilities. By participating in play at a space that is inclusively designed, everyone wins!

Every child deserves a space where they can engage freely in play. Unlimited Play playgrounds are a space where social barriers are broken down, imagination can run wild, and lasting connections are made. View our playground roster to find an inclusive playground in your community and plan your playdate today.

Unlimited Play is Building a More Inclusive Tomorrow

By starting a dialogue with your child about disability and inclusion, you help build a future where people with special needs are not viewed by their perceived inabilities - but celebrated for their strengths. Unlimited Play has been on this same mission for more than 15 years: To help provide a space where limitations are forgotten and differences are celebrated.

Unlimited Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps to plan, design and build inclusive playgrounds nationwide. Through 15 years in operation, Unlimited Play has garnered the unique expertise in developing inclusive playgrounds that serve all members of the community.

To learn more about building an inclusive playground in your neighborhood, contact Unlimited Play today!

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Teaching Your Child About Disabilities and Different Abilities

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You may have said or done something in front of your child thinking they did not notice - until they copied it. Young children soak up the actions, words and ideas of people around them like sponges. Other times, they blurt out bold questions unexpectedly, such as: " Mom!

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How to Help Children Understand Diverse Families
This article offers suggestions on how to help children understand and celebrate family structures different from their own. It includes a list of age-appropriate books on the topic.

How to help children understand diverse families. Bright Horizons®. (n.d.). https://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/how-to-help-children-understand-diverse-families.

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Diverse family structures are more common and children will ask questions about non-traditional families. Learn simple ways to teach children about diverse families.

Our world is a melting pot of different configurations, beliefs, cultural norms, and personal practices. Every child and family comes to a child care community with different values and experiences. One of the most important gifts we can give our children is to help them feel good about the uniqueness of their family and help them learn to accept, respect, and include people whom they may experience as "different."

Answering Questions about Diverse Family Structures

When children become aware of diverse family structures, they might ask a question such as, "Can someone have two mommies?" Usually when a young child asks such a question, he is looking for a "yes" or "no." Children are not typically on a journey seeking a deeper level of understanding. Many of us tend to give more information than necessary, but young children don't associate the adults in families with their sexual orientation. Preschool children are concrete thinkers and not ready for, nor do they want, a philosophical discussion. They do not yet have the cognitive ability, nor the life experience, to understand gay vs. straight relationships-nor are they interested. Young children are simply attempting to find their place in this big world and trying to make sense of the concept of family, whether traditional or non-traditional.

Children's growing awareness of diverse family structures provides rich opportunities to help them celebrate family diversity and engage them in conversation about who is in THEIR family, who lives in THEIR house and more importantly, who takes care of them. People will associate "two mommies" with a myriad of possibilities: a blended family, a divorced couple, a lesbian couple, mother and grandmother, surrogate or foster mothers, etc. Typically, people interpret within their own frame of reference.

Children tend to thrive when they come to understand there are varying family structures and that all families are wonderful, so long as the people in them love and care about each other. This repeated message helps children feel secure, even if their family configuration changes through death, separation, or other life events.

So when children ask, "Can a family have two mommies?" one suggested response is: "Yes, some families may have two mommies, one mommy, no mommy, or even lots of mommies. And some families may have two daddies, one daddy, no daddy, or even lots of daddies. Some families also include grandparents, foster parents, aunts, and uncles. Any combination works. It's love that makes a family-just like in our family."

Children's Books about Diverse Families

Literature is a wonderful way to expose children to the world. By sharing books such as the ones listed below, you are communicating that diverse families and people are all acceptable. There may be different values and structures, but in the end...it's about family.

The Great Big Book of Families by Mary Hoffman. This book features a diverse variety of family structures, what family members do, and where they live.

The White Swan Express by Jean Davies Okimato and Elaine Aoki. This tender story is about a quartet of parents adopting a quartet of Chinese orphans. It just so happens that the four families consist of a single mom, a heterosexual couple, a lesbian family, and an interracial family.

The Family Book by Todd Parr. In this book, the author celebrates all types of families in a funny, reassuring manner. He includes diverse family structures like adoptive families, step-families, single-parent families, two-mom and two-dad families, and families with both a mom and a dad.

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox. This beautifully illustrated book reminds children that we may be of different nationalities, races, ethnicities, languages or faiths, and may live our lives very differently, but we all still have the same daily needs, hopes, and dreams.

Children's literature can often help to start conversations that you are less comfortable starting on your own, but it is good to think ahead about how to answer tough questions when they come up.

More on Diversity and Children:

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How to Help Children Understand Diverse Families

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Diverse family structures are more common and children will ask questions about non-traditional families. Learn simple ways to teach children about diverse families. Our world is a melting pot of different configurations, beliefs, cultural norms, and personal practices. Every child and family comes to a child care community with different values and experiences.

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Creating a Welcoming Early Childhood Program for LGBT-Headed Families: Resources about Diverse Family Structures
This resource provides links to articles on creating an inclusive environment, current research, how to support LGBTQ family members, having age-appropriate conversations with young children, and much more.
Creating a welcoming early childhood program for LGBT ... (n.d.).http://depts.washington.edu/dbpeds/Diverse%20Families_creating_welcoming_early_Childhood.pdf.

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Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity is an organization that does school, workplace, and health care provider training on gender diversity and inclusion. The website features a resource guide for inclusive transgender and nonbinary youth best practices.

Gender Diversity. (n.d.) http://genderdiversity.org

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Gender Diversity - Education, Training and Support Services

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Gender Diversity improves the well-being of children and adults of all gender identities and expression by providing education, increasing awareness, and offering insight into the wider range of human experience.

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They She He Me: Free to Be! by Maya Gonzalez and Matthew Smith-Gonzalez

This book gently explores gender fluidity and the use of a variety of pronouns. It includes a section for adults that discusses gender ambiguity and inclusivity.

Gonzalez, M., C., & Smith-Gonzalez, M. (2017). They, She, He, Me : Free to Be! Reflection Press.

https://www.amazon.com/They-She-He-Me-Free/dp/1945289066

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The Everett Public Library

The public library is an excellent place for families and educators to find resources for anti-bias education. There are children’s books from diverse cultures, foreign language books, books on gender diversity, and much more. Adults can also find books and other resources to expand their thinking.

The Everett Public Library

425-257-8000

https://www.epls.org

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The Everett Public Library connects the community and all its members to resources and services that inform, educate, and entertain. We provide open access to lifelong learning. We embrace the future while preserving the past.

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The Burke Museum

The Burke Museum is an excellent place to visit to explore other cultures. It features child-friendly exhibits on contemporary culture and on Northwest Native Art.

The Burke Museum

206-543-7907

https://www.burkemuseum.org

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It's a new kind of museum-and a whole new way to experience our world.