Talking with Young Children About Equity
Critical Topics in Parenting
NEW DATES!
Join us Tuesdays, April 13 & 20 at 8 pm ET for the eighth webinar in this free series, Critical Topics in Parenting, designed to address the most pressing issues facing families and children today. This webinar is designed primarily for parents of children aged 6 and younger with guidance geared towards elementary school age as well.
In partnership with Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day
Parents, are you searching for ways to talk with young children about recognizing and respecting the differences in others? Young children are keen observers of the world around them and need guidance from parents and caregivers on how to interpret what they see. Together we can tackle our most pressing questions concerning how to navigate tricky conversations or questions with children and their families, and intentionally and respectfully represent a variety of cultures, beliefs, values, and ideals through the literature we choose.
Join us for an opportunity to discuss equity through the lens of children’s literature. PEP is pleased to partner with Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day, where two early childhood educators have led this book-discussion program with parents and early childhood educators in recent months.
In this two-part program, participants will use a children’s book, Love Makes a Family, centered on the theme of promoting equity in our society, to spark a conversation with their children.
In the first session on April 13, presenters Ndara Miles and Daniella MacAlister will introduce the book and a framework parents can use to talk with their children. They will model the kinds of interactions and questions they pose to children in the classroom as they explore the book’s themes.
During the week between sessions, parents are invited to read the book with their children and return to the second session on April 20 to discuss the experience, ask questions, and delve deeper for further learning.
This program is designed to build the learning over two weeks – first with presentation and a framework to use, followed by discussion and deeper learning in the second week. The conversation starters and prompts will focus primarily on parents of children aged 6 and younger. The concepts and question prompts can apply to elementary age children as well, and suggestions for books for older children will be shared.
Parents will need to purchase or borrow the book, Love Makes a Family. It is available through major booksellers, on Google Play, and read aloud versions on YouTube.
Registration includes access to a recording to watch later and resources for teaching equity to young children. The educators will share resources and provide inspiration for keeping the lines of communication open with children as they grow.
Your Instructor
Ndara and Daniella work with young children in the classroom at Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day, where they serve as Assistant Program Director and Program Assistant and Teacher. Wonders classrooms intentionally create an environment that reflects not only the cultures of the families they serve but the world around us. They believe this validates children’s experiences, teaches the importance of valuing similarities and differences, and builds the connection between home and school.
Ndara and Daniella have used children's literature to help Wonders families spark conversations about equity, and they have taught their approach to other early childhood educators in the DC region.
"PEP is a marvelous resource. I wish every parent was aware and participated in the learning and support.."
--Participant, PEP Online