During the advancement of human beings, from the stage of infants towards adolescence, there are many changes in the human body. This time your brain also evolves and your mind starts grasping your surroundings. Curiosity arises in the mind of children as they start to notice the parent’s behaviors their reactions with response to a particular situation. Repeated observations can lead to decision-making ability. They start to adopt the concept of right or wrong. Try to understand what they know and support them by explaining with context. This mode of explanation will help in getting mind clarity.
Start with communication skills. If your child is telling you about some important facts give your time to listen and ask for the source of information. It will help in browsing the sites your child has been using. Perception is what can change the human mind. Every person thinks differently. When talking about a particular matter the way we talk differs between a child and a young adult. Sometimes we hesitate to talk about some of the sensitive topics which have been around for a very long time i.e. racism, injustice, and protests, etc…
Nowadays children had more knowledge as compared to human beings. Start by initiating a little conversation asking about the daily routine or school. As the evolution begins the perception also changes. Observe the reaction of a child then initiate the conversation based on that so that they can have the feeling of being heard and be spoken in those comfortable conversations. It is not possible to have all the information on the ongoing incidents but not talking about the same is also not good. It will help in generating social awareness.
These are different terms but are interconnected. Awareness should be created on these terms so it can make a person think differently and helped in better decision making. Every individual comes across these terms in day-to-day life.
Racism is referred to as racial discrimination or the distinction based on the origin of a certain group of people. This is not a new term but an old term, existed from 1933 Nazis in Germany. After WWI, there has been a fear that the Africans will occupy Germany and the Afro-German children will be the bastards. So, to overcome their fear they started to cleanse the particular race or the Africans. Thereafter the term Racism has engraved and has been with us till date.
According to researchers and psychologists the kids are treated differently in schools based on color. In foreign countries, there are many protests against racism. The education about racism starts from childhood in black families much more early so they can take steps to fight back as compared to white families. Many of the people are killed on the ground of racism. In that case, the children are thought they are bad people but it arises the curiosity in their mind how they are bad?? So based on their color, they create a perception that they are bad people. Many books had been published to throw light on racism based on age. Some of the books are: “Let’s talk about race” by Julius Lester and Karen Barbour, “Black imagination: Black voices on Black future” by Natasha Marin, and many more.
Injustice is basically when some unjust done with the people or toward the people. It also symbolizes the violation of the rights of another person. Most of the youngsters often seen candlelight march protests for the injustice of a person. Explain to them the whole situation ask them what they feel about the situation. Let them be the decision-maker and decide the consequences for different circumstances. Make them understand according to the law what is legal and illegal.
Although parents except from high school children that they are familiar with the term “protest”. With the nerve-breaking news ongoing nearby it is sensible to limit the children’s exposure. Everything is appropriate according to the developmental level of the child. Situations which are suitable for the high scholar are not good for a 4-year-old. But the same thing cannot be applied to a child who has gone through a mishap. The avoidance of such a situation will develop a communication gap or a mental barrier within a child.
Going to protests is important for social awareness. You need to explain to the children that the protest is a way of expression, or making changes in society ensuring the safety of the individuals. Nowadays many options are available for awareness but some of the steps as a parent you had to take:
- Make the children aware that people are working towards change.
- Take initiative to find ways so that all the family members can bring a positive change.
- More the talk, more the knowledge. Talk more about racial injustice so it can build consciousness.
- Age-appropriate exposure to the visuals according to their age.
- Use the vocabulary and race-conscious language appropriately.
- Keep the conversations open-ended and do not dismiss any questions that arise.
- If you are not aware of the questions then look online, follow the leads or the source of information.