• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work & Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
      • Readers’ Choice Awards
        • Facing University challenges university in singaporePrepare your child for university in Singapore
        • Hari Raya Puasa bazaarHari Raya Puasa 2023 – how is it celebrated?
        • By Fable Farewell Gifts copyFarewell gifts for colleagues and friends in Singapore
        • Adopting a dog in Singapore – or a cute cat or rabbit!
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Water play areas singapore vivo city shopping centresFree water playgrounds & water parks in Singapore!
        • FIBA 3X3What’s on this week and beyond
        • Hari Raya Puasa bazaarHari Raya Puasa 2023 – how is it celebrated?
        • 10 places for teenagers to hang out in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • Water play areas singapore vivo city shopping centresFree water playgrounds & water parks in Singapore!
        • 10 places for teenagers to hang out in Singapore
        • Mental health support for toddlers to teens
        • Fun obstacle course in Singapore for kids and adultsHomeTeamNS challenges you to the ultimate obstacle course!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • Havana Interiors home stylistsNeed decorators, home stylists or an interior designer?
        • Bedrooms: Bed frames, bedding & bedside tables!
        • Affordable art in SingaporeBuying affordable art in Singapore – it is possible!
        • Where to buy a really good bed and mattress in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • property in sydneyBuying property in Sydney
        • international health insurance for singapore expatsHealth insurance for Singapore expats
        • Travel News & Hotel Deals
        • Chloe from E&A InteriorsBuilding a holiday villa in Sri Lanka from start to finish!
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • All you need to know about Crab Bee Hoon in Singapore
        • local desserts in singapore - Rainbow ice cream breadMust-try local desserts in Singapore
        • work gatherings and parties venueEvent venues perfect for work gatherings and parties
        • Best Restaurants in Singapore – Where to eat for foodies!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • Niessing gold jewellery in SingaporeI discovered a 150-year-old jeweller in Singapore!
        • slimming facial massage review facial ginzaWe review a Japanese slimming facial massage!
        • yun nam hair care abd scalp treatmentYun Nam Hair Care Reviews DIY Treatments
        • weight gainLondon Weight Management reviews dangers of weight gain
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • weight gainLondon Weight Management reviews dangers of weight gain
        • Here’s why sleep is so important
        • core exercises in singapore7 Singapore Pilates studios for core exercises & more!
        • at-home personal training yoga in singaporeYoga classes in Singapore, and the benefits!
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

Talking about racism with children

5th June 2020 by Melinda Murphy 4 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/talking-about-racism-with-children/

How do you talk to children about racism?

The death of George Floyd in the US and the following protests and riots have made talking about racism front and centre. Children might overhear a news story or their friends talking, which means it’s key for you to have a plan of action for discussing racism with your children. Teaching children to recognise and challenge structures and practices that fuel inequality and cause harm will not only change society for the better, but it will empower your children, too.

The most important thing you can give your child? Yourself. Children need a trusted adult they can talk to during rough times, whether it be a discussion on racism or something else.

But what should you say? According to DR SANVEEN KANG, a clinical psychologist and the founder of Psych Connect, the way a parent approaches the topic of racism should depend on the age of the child.

Talking about racism with children

Talking about racism with younger children

#1 Be honest
Don’t encourage children not to “see” colour or tell children we are all the same. Rather, discuss differences openly and highlight diversity by choosing picture books, toys, games and videos that feature diverse characters in positive, non-stereotypical roles.

#2 Embrace curiosity
Be careful not to ignore or discourage your child’s questions about differences among people, even if the questions make you uncomfortable. Not being open to such questions sends the message that difference is negative.

#3  Foster pride
Talk to your child about your family heritage to encourage self-knowledge and a positive self-concept.

#4 Lead by example
Widen your circle of friends and acquaintances to include people from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

Talking about racism with older children and pre-adolescents

As children move into older childhood and pre-adolescence, take a firmer stance.

#1 Model it
Talking about racism with your child and discussing the importance of embracing difference and treating others with respect is essential, but it’s not enough. Your actions, both subtle and overt, are what your child will emulate.

#2 Acknowledge differences
Rather than teaching children that we are all the same, acknowledge the many ways people are different, and emphasise some of the positive aspects of our differences — language diversity and various music and cooking styles, for example. Likewise, be honest about instances — both historical and current — when people have been mistreated because of their differences. Encourage your child not only to talk about what makes them different, but also to discuss ways that may have helped or hurt them at times. After that, finding similarities becomes even more powerful, creating a sense of common ground.

#3 Challenge intolerance
If your child says or does something indicating bias or prejudice, don’t meet the action with silence. Silence indicates acceptance, and a simple command such as “Don’t say that” is not enough. First, try to find the root of the action or comment: “What made you say that about Sam?” Then, explain why the action or comment was unacceptable.

#4 Seize teachable moments
Look for everyday activities that can serve as springboards for discussion. School-age children respond better to lessons that involve real-life examples than to artificial or staged discussions about issues. For example, if you’re watching TV together, talk about why certain groups often are portrayed in stereotypical roles.

#5 Emphasise the positive
Just as you should challenge your child’s actions if they indicate bias or prejudice, it’s important to praise them for behaviour that shows respect and empathy for others. Catch your child treating people kindly, let your chld know you noticed, and discuss why it’s a desirable behaviour.

Talking about racism with teenagers

Teenagers are able to have more intense conversations, so focus on keeping the conversation going.

#1 Use current issues from the news as a springboard for discussion
Ask your teen what they think about the issues.

#2 Stay involved
Ask your teen about the group or groups they most identify with at school. Discuss the labels or stereotypes that are associated with such groups.

#3 Live congruently
Discussing the importance of valuing difference is essential, but modelling this message is even more vital. Evaluate your own circle of friends or the beliefs you hold about certain groups of people. Do your actions match the values you discuss with your teen? Teens are more likely to be influenced by what you do than what you say, so it’s important for your words and behaviors to be congruent.

#4 Broaden opportunities
It may be natural for teens to stick to groups they feel most comfortable with during the school day. These often are the people they identify as being most like themselves. Provide other opportunities for your teen to interact with peers from different backgrounds. So, suggest volunteer, extracurricular and work opportunities that will broaden your teen’s social circle.

#5 Encourage activism
Promote healthy ways for your teen to get involved in causes they care about. When young people know they have a voice in their community, they’re empowered to help resolve issues.

Here is a great list of kid-friendly movies to help build a conversation about racism.

The New York Times recommends the following books about racism:

The Snowy Day: Ages 0-3
Saturday: Ages 3-5
Hair Love: Ages 3-5
Each Kindness: Ages 5-8
The Youngest Marcher: Ages 5-8
Resist: Ages 9-12
Not My Idea: Ages 9-12
All American Boys: Ages 12+
Stamped: Ages 12+

Connect with Dr Kang here. She also offers virtual counselling sessions.


Intersted to know more? Then read on to discover how stress affects children.

Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox
Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox

Categories: Kids Tweens & Teens Tags: Books books on racism child children conversation discussing Kids Race racism talking

Melinda Murphy

Melinda does Special Projects for Expat Living which includes pulling together big stories, videos — all sorts of cool stuff. It all builds on her background as a television correspondent, producer and author back in the US. Her life is kind of a special project, too, with two young kids, an old dog, a ridiculous number of volunteer activities — and a very understanding hubby.

You May Also Like

Mental health support for toddlers to teens

education system in Singapore Astor international school

Astor: Small Singapore school with big impact

teachers in singapore

Teachers in Singapore: Leadership development in SAS

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.