Start the Conversation
Start the Conversation
Start the Conversation provides grown-ups with the language and tools necessary to start, and continue, nuanced conversations around big topics with their children. Through a combination of videos, workshops, activities and resource guides, Start the Conversation uses developmentally appropriate children’s literature and applied theater techniques to engage young people with themes such as race, racism, politics, immigration, mental health, LGBTQ+ identities and more.
There are a lot of big things happening in our world and talking about them with our little ones is not easy! But they are conversations that have to happen and Start the Conversation offers a place to begin.
“What I encourage all people to do, all grown folks responsible for taking care of kids, is to first begin with the assumption that we do have to talk about what’s going on. That not talking isn’t an option. In part because kids are smarter than we give them credit for. They’re seeing and noticing the world around them even if they’re not watching the news and they’re seeing and they’re understanding our distress and they’re going to make sense of it. So I start first with the premise of you have to talk about it.”
Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, Child Psychologist
Embrace Race podcast
Exploring Gender
In this video series, we explore gender identity, expression and pronouns through children’s literature and theater explorations. read more
Immigration and Refuge
In this video Miss Sindy and Miss Caitlyn will explore immigration and refugee experiences in America and give you the tools to have this conversation with the young people in your life. read more
Re-Emerging in the Time of COVID-19
In this video Miss Caitlyn will explore COVID-19 and some of the changes that young people might be experiencing because of it. read more
Anti-Asian Racism
In the video, Eric defines key terms like race, racism, and stereotype and encourages young people to think critically about how to identify, challenge and counteract anti-Asian racism. read more
Immigration
In this video, Teaching Artist Sindy Isabel Castro creates a framework for grown-ups to begin, or continue, a conversation about immigration with young people. read more
Civic Duty
In this video, Caitlyn explains what voting is, the history of voting, and why it's important. read more
Race, Racism, and Black Lives Matter
This video series is designed to give grownups the tools to have big conversations with young people about race and racism. Miss Caitlyn helps you prepare for the big conversations ahead then NYCCT Teaching Artists Psacoya and Sam use children's literature to help you continue the conversation. read more
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