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Key Terms: Defining Identity, Race, and Racism for Young Children

Identity is what makes me me and what makes you you. Cooking or baking analogies can help children to understand identity. You might say, “All of the special ingredients in a chocolate chip cookie make it unique and special! Every single person is unique and special, too. The ingredients that make each of us unique form our identity.” You might then invite your child to write or draw different aspects of their identity, such as what they like and don’t like, what they look like, their family and cultural background, and their family traditions. You can use tools like My Big Heart: An All About Me Coloring Book to help your child explore identity. Helping children explore their own identity helps them to understand that race is just one of the things that defines them.

You could say something like, “Race is one part of our identity. Race can mean lots of things, but it usually means how people look — such as the color of their skin, the way their hair feels and looks, and things like different shapes of noses and eyes. We all look different and sometimes this is because of our race. Isn’t it cool that we all look different?” You could talk about your family’s race, and the different races of friends or characters from favorite stories to help your child understand the idea. 

You could start by referencing a situation in which something was unfair (even if it wasn’t related to race), such as two kids not getting the same amount of ice cream. You could then say something like, “Sometimes people are treated unfairly. It can be on purpose or by accident. Either way, it doesn’t make people feel good!” You can then explain that sometimes people are not treated fairly because of the color of their skin; that is called racism. Make it clear to your child that people are equal and all people should be treated equally, no matter their race, religion, ethnicity, or other characteristics. Over time, you can empower your child to be an upstander who stands up for him/herself or others who are facing bias or racism. 

It can be tricky to know exactly which words to use to describe a complex concept to a little one. It is important for children to know that people look different and that our differences make us special. It’s equally important for them to learn that people are sometimes treated unfairly because of their race — and that this isn’t right. These are big ideas, but talking about them will lead to deeper understanding; it will empower children to celebrate differences and stand up for others.  

Here are some suggestions for talking about these core terms with young children. You can use these terms along with the activities in this guide or in your daily life.

As you use this guide or have daily conversations with your child related to identity, race, and racism, be sure to define the words and ideas you’re discussing. Often, complex terms lack shared definitions; this lack of common language can lead to misunderstandings. Defining words and ideas in clear ways helps to ensure that you and your child have a shared understanding. This is an important foundation for any meaningful conversation! Here are some tips for approaching our glossary of key terms: 

First, take a look at just the bolded word. 

  • How would you define it? 
  • How did you learn that?  
  • Has your definition changed over time? 

Then, read the definition provided. 

  • What do you think about this definition?
  • How would you explain this word, acronym, or idea to your child?

Remember that children may not be able to understand (or remember) all of these definitions. That’s okay. This is not a quiz; it’s fine if learning to understand these terms is a gradual process. The most important thing is to keep the conversation going and keep open lines of communication between you and your child. 

Glossary of Key Terms

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI): Asian Americans are Americans who are of Asian ancestry (e.g., people from China, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia, Cambodia). The term was created by Yuji Ichioka and Emma Gee in 1968 to unify Asian ethnicity groups. Pacific Islanders are people with origins in Polynesia, Melanesia, or Micronesia (e.g., Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Tongans, Guamanians, Fijians).

Ally/Upstander: A person who speaks up, stands up, or takes action to support other people. 

BIPOC: An abbreviation for Black, Indigenous, People of Color.

Black/African American: A racial classification of people often used to describe people who are thought to have dark skin or ancestry (family) from Africa. The Black community consists of many different communities, skin tones, histories, and rich ancestral backgrounds.

Culture: The distinctive customs, values, beliefs, knowledge, art, and language of a society or a community. These values and concepts are often passed on from generation to generation, and they are the basis for everyday behaviors and practices.

Discrimination: Unfair, negative treatment of a certain group of people. This may involve people being treated unfairly as a result of their race, ethnicity, language, age, country of origin, or other aspects of identity. 

Ethnicity: Ethnicity is a term used for a group of people who share a similar cultural background and are oftentimes from the same country or region. They tend to share traditions, history, religion, language, and similar cultural values and practices.

Hispanic: Hispanic refers to people who come from Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain and Latin American countries, such as El Salvador. 

Indigenous: Originally from (native to) a particular place.

Latino/a/x/e: Latino refers to people from Latin America. Some Latin American countries include Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Cuba. Not all people from Latin America speak Spanish; some may speak Portuguese or indigenous languages like Quechua. Latinx or Latine is a gender inclusive term that is an alternative to Latino or Latina. People who are from a Spanish-speaking country that is not in Latin America, like Spain, are considered Hispanics but not Latinos.

Melanin:  Melanin is a pigment in the body that makes our hair, skin, and eye color appear darker when we have more of it and lighter when we have less of it. The more melanin someone has in their body, the darker their features will be.

Prejudice: Unfair and negative opinions of a certain group of people that are based on limited or no information. Prejudice is when people hold thoughts about a group of people without knowing the whole group, or when we expect someone to be a certain way because they are part of a group.

Race / Racial Group: People are categorized into racial groups based on their physical appearance (skin color, hair type, facial features), and those socially defined categories have important meaning. Race is not to be confused with ethnicity; your race is determined by how you look, while your ethnicity is determined based on the social and cultural groups you belong to. 

Racism: Racism is the belief that some races are better than others and the societal systems and patterns that advantage or give benefits to some races and not to others.

Stereotype: A stereotype is an expectation that people from the same ethnic, racial, or religious group will act the same way or have the same characteristics. Stereotypes can be positive or negative beliefs about a group of people.