Resources to Help Educators, Adults Respond to Racism, Violence and Trauma

Racism, violence and tragedies in our communities and in the news can be traumatic for children and youth, as well as adults. In response to these incidents, educators and other trusted adults may want to consider providing opportunities for children and adults to talk about what is happening and share their feelings, which can include fear, anger, sadness and frustration. Discussing the news and tragic events can help calm students and help them focus on their learning. Find resources to support these conversations below.

Minnesota Department of Education Resources

How to Talk About Traumatic Events and Tragedies

When tragedy happens, school principals, school support staff and teachers may want to consider providing structured opportunities for students and staff members to discuss these events and share their feelings, which can include fear, anger, sadness, frustration and more.

Acknowledging the Role of Implicit Bias as a Barrier to Reaching All Children Webinar Series

In this recorded webinar series, Dr. Rosemarie Allen, a national expert on implicit bias and culturally responsive practices, explores implicit bias. The webinar series link takes you to the Early Learning web page. Once you reach that page, scroll down to find the webinars.

Other Resources on Responding to Racism, Violence and Trauma

Center for Racial Justice in Education

The Center for Racial Justice in Education has compiled a valuable list of resources which can be accessed on the Resources for Talking about Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids page of their website.

National Public Radio (NPR)

National Public Radio's Life Kit spoke with a handful of child development experts about what parents, teachers and other caregivers can do to help prepare and protect kids from all the scary news out there, whether it's fighting overseas, a school shooting, devastating wildfire or a global pandemic. To learn more, visit the What to Say to Kids When the News Is Scary page of the NPR website. Another good resource on the NPR website is a podcast entitled Talking Race with Young Children. The podcast discusses how to handle conversations about race, racism, diversity and inclusion, even with very young children.

Teaching Tolerance

The Teaching About Race, Racism and Police Violence page on the Teaching Tolerance website contains resources that can help spur much-needed discussion around implicit bias and systemic racism, but they can also empower your students to enact the changes that will create a more just society.

Speak Up Against Prejudice, Bias and Stereotypes - 1/10/19

A guide that offers teachers tools and strategies to speak up against prejudice, bias and stereotypes at school.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents, teachers, child care providers, and others who work closely with children to filter information about the crisis and present it in a way that their child can accommodate, adjust to, and cope with. To learn more, visit the Talking to Children about Tragedies & Other News Events page on the AAP website.

Child Welfare Information Gateway

On the Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma page of Child Welfare Information Gateway website is a factsheet that discusses the nature of trauma, especially abuse or neglect, the effects of trauma on children and youth, and ways to help a child who has experienced trauma.

Common Sense Media

Exposure to graphic images, distressing information, and horrific headlines can affect children's overall well- being. Visit the How to Talk to Kids about Violence, Crime, and War page on the Common Sense Media website for more information.

Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child

A guide on toxic stress from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child addresses a variety of topics related to toxic stress, including the science and social causes of toxic stress and preventing and addressing toxic stress.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

NAEYC’s webpage Coping with Violence contains resources for parents, teachers, and others working with young children about coping with violence and talking to young children about tragedies they learn about in the media.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

The Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators page from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network addresses ten reactions children may experience after community trauma and ways in which adults can respond.

National Institute of Mental Health

Each year, children and adolescents experience disasters and other traumatic events. Parents, rescue workers, and members of the larger community can help children start the process of recovery and overcome these experiences. Visit Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Disasters and Other Traumatic Events on the National Institute of Mental Health’s website for more information. The institute has also created a booklet, entitled, What Parents Can Do: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disaster, which provides helpful information for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents.

Zero to Three

Tragedies are especially distressing to families with young children. The Helping Young Children Cope after Exposure to a Traumatic Event page on the Zero to Three website is designed to help parents navigate this very challenging time. Learn how your child will respond to this stress and how you can support them during this difficult time. Another valuable resource on their website is the Racism and Violence: Using Your Power as a Parent to Support Children Aged Two to Five page. This resource provides thoughts and guidelines for talking about the complex issues of racism and equality in age-appropriate ways with children aged two to five years of age.

Teaching Tools

American Psychological Association (APA)

In a world where violence and cruelty seem to be common and almost acceptable, many parents wonder what they can do to help their children to become kinder and gentler. To learn more, visit the What Makes Kids Care? Teaching Gentleness in a Violent World page on the APA website.

Anti-Defamation League (ADL)

The Parent, Family and Caregiver Resources page of the ADL website contains numerous resources that provide tips, tools, strategies and lessons for K-12 educators, administrators, students and family members to promote diversity and anti-bias behavior in learning environments and society.

National Network of State Teachers of the Year

The National Network of State Teachers of the Year Reading has created a Social Justice Book List for children, from early learning through high school, and teachers.

Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center

The center sponsored the creation of an animated story based on the book "Something Happened One Day" by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins and Ann Hazzard. Illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin. The animated story, Something Happened In Our Town: A Child’s Story about Racial Injustice is available on YouTube.

Relevant COVID-19 Resources

Facing History and Ourselves

The organization Facing History and Ourselves uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. The Coronavirus: Protect Yourself and Stand against Racism teaching resource on their website outlines the known facts about COVID-19 and gives students the opportunity to explore instances of discrimination related to this novel strain of coronavirus. Providing students with factually correct information and opportunities to reflect on the consequences of discrimination makes them less likely to participate in coronavirus-inspired racism and encourages them to challenge such othering if, or when, they encounter it.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents, teachers, child care providers, and others who work closely with children to filter information about the crisis and present it in a way that their child can accommodate, adjust to, and cope with. To learn more, visit the Talking to Children about Tragedies & Other News Events page on the AAP website.