ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Fahmida Azim for NPR
SKIN TONE ACTIVITIES
BY MELISSA
Exploration of skin tone is an important early step in understanding differences and dispelling the idea of value based on the color of our skin. We must start very early to explicitly teach children that skin color is simply pigmentation and does not indicate personal specifics about individuals. BCS starts teaching this in the infant room.
Children learn that our skin tone is determined by the amount and how active melanin is in our bodies. They learn that melanin is simply a chemical that helps protect skin from the effects of the sun and that an individual’s melanin is determined by two factors: how close they live to the hottest part of the earth (equator) and the melanin of their ancestors.
When investigation into skin tone happens at an early age children learn to understand the biology of skin color and the wide variation in skin tones. When explored in a group of peers with whom they have positive relationships, it reinforces understanding that skin color is simply an attribute and does not determine one’s value.
Blue Preschoolers create their skin tone recipe using skin tone watercolors. They mix watercolors, to match their skin tone, keeping track of which colors they used in their recipe. They then name their skin tone color. It is always wonderful and enlightening when children realize that rarely can their skin tone be represented by one color.
Here is a reading of book introducing the variety of shades within humans:
SHADES OF PEOPLE BY SHEILA M. KELLY & SHELLEY ROTNER
READ BY MELISSA
There are ways to explore our skin tones at home without specifically marketed skin tone art materials.
Skin Tone Exploration Search
Search for items around or home or in nature that match your skin tone. Place your hand or another body part up against items and see if you can find matches.
Questions:
Can you think of objects that might match your skin tone?
How close is the match?
What color(s) do you see in your skin?
If this doesn’t match what are you thinking about where to search next?
How would you describe the colors of this match?
SHADES OF BLACK BY SANDRA PINKNEY
READ BY MELISSA
Skin Tone Recipe
Use sets of crayons or colored pencils that have a variation of colors found in skin tones (browns, tans, golds, oranges, reds, yellows, peaches).
Start making light marks on paper, checking the mark with your skin with each addition for a match
Determine which color should be added next to to get a closer match
Layers colors on top of each other
Keep track of the colors you used to create your skin tone match
Name your skin tone.
VELS:
All ages:
DEVELOPING SELF – SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT: SELF AWARENESS Goal 1: Children demonstrate an awareness of own personal characteristics, skills and abilities
LEARNING ABOUT THE WORLD-COGNITIVE: INQUIRY Goal 1: Children make sense of the world around them by actively gathering and interpreting information.
LEARNING ABOUT THE WORLD – SOCIAL STUDIES: FAMILY AND COMMUNITY – PHYSICS, GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY Goal 1: Children identify themselves initially as belonging to a family, a group and a community; eventually they develop awareness of themselves as members of increasingly wider circles of society and learn the skills needed to be a contributing member of society. 3.Explore the similarities and differences among people
READING – ENGAGING WITH LITERATURE AND INFORMATIONAL TEXT Goal 1: Children develop “book language” and demonstrate comprehension 3.Make connections between stories and real-life experiences
Toddlers and Preschoolers:
COMMUNICATION AND EXPRESSION – CREATIVE ARTS AND EXPRESSION :VISUAL ARTS Goal 1: Children create art using a variety of tools and art media to express their ideas, feelings, creativity; and develop appreciation of the art created by others. 1. Create artistic works through an open-ended process that reflect thoughts, feelings, experiences, or knowledge
SESAME STREET “COMING TOGETHER” TOWN HALL
STANDING UP TO RACISM
Part I: How to Explain Racism to Kids
Part II: Abby Cadabby Shares a Personal Story
Part III: Viral Child Starts Reunite
Follow the link below for all the videos: