# Children Need Early Race Conversations

> Early race talks help kids understand racism without colorblindness.
- Title: Children Need Early Race Conversations · The Conversation
- Summary: Early race talks help kids understand racism without colorblindness. Parents and educators should start discussing race with children as young as 3 to build…
- Keywords: children, race, racism, early conversations, children's literature, k-12 education, police brutality, systemic racism, anti-racism, historical injustice, us racism, indigenous peoples
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/children-are-not-colorblind-why-early-conversations-about-race-are-essential-293500
- Author: María G. Leija
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: children, race, racism, early conversations, children's literature, k-12 education, police brutality, systemic racism, anti-racism, historical injustice, us racism, indigenous peoples
## Why early race talks matter
Research shows children as young as 2 or 3 can notice racial differences and form biases.
## Colorblindness denies race vocabulary
Saying you don't see race denies children a vocabulary to understand racial differences.
## Black parents talk more about race
Black parents have been found to discuss race and racism with children more than white parents.
## Children's books help race discussions
Books like 'The Talk' and 'Separate is Never Equal' provide age-appropriate race conversations.
## Marley Dias' book drive
Marley Dias collected over 13,000 books for Black girls through her #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign.
## Children's literature for justice
Books like 'Rez Kid' and 'Grace Lee Boggs: Gardens of Hope' teach about racial justice and activism.
## How to start race conversations
Normalize discussing skin color, ethnicity, culture and language in everyday life and media.
## Children understand injustice
Children notice injustice, question it, and can engage in social justice work without adult guidance.
## What happens next
Early race conversations help children confront historical and modern injustices as they grow.
## Key takeaway

Parents and educators should start discussing race with children as young as 3 to build understanding of racism and injustice.