Toolkit: Talking With Kids About Equitable Nature Access

Wondering how to talk to kids about challenging things they may be experiencing or seeing in the news? These articles can help.

"When something scary is happening, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
— Fred Rogers

• How to Talk to Kids About Difficult Subjects
• When the News is Scary - What to Say to Kids
• Implicit Bias - Peanut Butter and Jelly (VIDEO)
• Anti-Bias Education Glossary
• Connecting to Nature Is Good for Kids – but They May Need Help Coping With a Planet in Peril

Longstanding systems of injustice impact the design, distribution and access of green spaces — holding back some children, especially children of color, from enjoying the health, emotional and academic benefits of nature.

"The beauty of anti-racism is that you don’t have to pretend to be free of racism to be an anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it’s the only way forward."
— Ijeoma Oluo

• Dismantling Racism in the Children and Nature Movement (VIDEO)
• 6 Ways to Be Anti-Racist, Because Being 'Not Racist' Isn't Enough
• Talking to Your Kids About Racism
• Talking to Kids About Race
• Talking With Kids About Racism and How to Be Anti-Racist
• 100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say to Your Child to Advance Racial Justice
• Books About Racism and Social Justice
• Books That Promote Diversity and Inclusion
• 14 Anti-Racist Books for Kids and Teens Recommended by BIPOC Teachers and Librarians

News about climate change is everywhere. These articles and book lists provide helpful suggestions for engaging and empowering children.

"Maybe the work I am doing will encourage them (the children that want to speak up) to do the work I’m doing and we can all make a change."
— Autumn Peltier

• How to Talk to Kids About Climate Change
• Five Tips for Talking to Kids About Climate Change
• 9 Ways to Help Kids Save the Planet
• Movie Recommendations That Teach Children About Climate Change
• Children’s Books About Climate Change
• 25 Books That Teach Kids About Climate Change

Wondering how to answer kids questions about disabilities? These resources offer guidance to help children gain a better understanding of why some people look, talk, act, or move differently.

"Your kids notice that my kid is different. When adults don’t talk about differences, kids form their own ideas without real information. Silence breeds shame, discomfort, and confusion. Put things out in the open."
— Think Inclusive

• 5 Things Parents of Kids With Disabilities Want You to Know
• 6 Tips to Talk to Your Kids About Disabilities
• How to Talk to Kids About Disabilities
• Representation Matters: 10 Children’s Books With Disabled Characters
• How to Teach Children About Disabilities and Inclusion

"If we stand for change, we can spark a popular movement with power, influence, magic and genius."
— Van Jones

• Dismantling Racism in the Children and Nature Movement (VIDEO)
• 6 Ways to Be Antiracist, Because Being 'Not Racist' Isn't Enough
• Anti-Bias Education Glossary
• 14 Antiracist Books for Kids and Teens Recommended by BIPOC Teachers and Librarians

"My responsibility to protect the planet was never really in respect to being an activist. I felt that just as human beings, we have to protect our lands, our earth, our water. That was always the main driving force behind what I do."
— Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

• 19 Youth Climate Activists You Should Be Following on Social Media
• We Deserve to Be Taught About It': Why Students Want Climate Crisis Classes
• 9 Climate Activists of Color You Should Know
• Meet India's Teen Climate Advocate: Ridhima Pandey
• It’s Not Just Greta Thunberg: Why Are We Ignoring the Developing World’s Inspiring Activists?
• Connecting Nature and Education (VIDEO)

These resources offer support to teachers who are opening students' minds to the challenging issues of our time.

"I touch the future. I teach."
— Christa McAuliffe

• Equity Resources
• Teaching Tolerance
• Climate Change Education: Essential Information for Educators
• 8 Ways to Teach Climate Change in Almost Any Classroom