1) It is important to talk to children about race and racism.

2) Some parents / carer might think that the best way to raise a child to not be racist is to not talk about race at all but it is never too early to talk about it and to help them to understand the world around them. Not speaking about race can make it seem like something you are not supposed to talk about.

3) It is also natural to worry that you might get something wrong when talking about race, but take it one step at a time.  Remember that keeping the conversation about race going, rather than a single “talk” will help your child feel confident in asking you questions and telling you how they feel. If your child asks a question that you don’t have the answer to, don’t be afraid to say you don’t know.

4) Saying that you “don’t see race” doesn’t help – race is not the problem, the prejudice and stigma attached to it is. By talking about race, your child will learn more about the issue, think for themselves and be more comfortable about speaking out about racism.

5) It is important for children to be represented in the stories they read and see. Exposing your child to a diverse range of people, stories and characters from a young age can help to develop a positive attitude to widen out a child’s view of the world.

It is also worth noting that children of a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background are likely to have experienced racism in some manner and are reminded of their race through this. Having the choice to not think about race is a privilege that only some people have.

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