Ideas and stereotypes about identity and the identity of others begin forming when we are children, based on what we see on the news, hear in our households, and read in books.
“Developmental psychology research has shown that by the time (children) start Kindergarten, children begin to show many of the same implicit social attitudes that adults in our culture hold,” writes professor Katherine D. Kinzler in a New York Times article How Kids Learn Prejudice. ”Children have already learned to associate some groups with higher status, or more positive value, than others.”
Parents and guardians can support their children ages 5 to 7 in developing a healthy sense of self and working to deconstruct and understand internalized messages about diversity through conversation. Mansi Vasa, Corlears Director of Equity, Inclusion & Community Life, provides resources and talking points.
Click here or on the image below to view the guide
Looking for more? Check out our other social justice resources, and click here to learn more about Corlears’ longtime commitment to teaching elementary students about social justice and identity.
