Play Unites Communities

Marbles is heartbroken by recent events that highlight the persistent inequities and injustices facing black children and families in our community and across the country. Marbles believes in the power of play to unite communities around building bright futures for children. We believe in the power of play to break down barriers, celebrate diversity and foster friendships. These beliefs shape our commitment to help a community shaken by unrest and racial inequity that impacts us all. Children in our community feel what’s happening and Marbles wants to help. We know that play helps. While the museum is closed, Marbles is providing at-home play resources. Talking helps too, and we’ve compiled resources useful for understanding and talking with children about racial equity and social justice.

For Kids: 
Books and videos to help kids understand racism, our history, and appreciate diversity 

• Books with Characters of Color: A curated list of children’s books that promote tolerance, diversity, and cultural understanding. 
• Six Books to Help You Talk to Your Child about Diversity 
• Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism: A CNN/Sesame Street town hall. 

For Parents: 
Books and resources to help parents understand and explain racism, raise children who appreciate diversity and advocate for justice. 

• Talking about Race: Tools and guidance from the National Museum of African American History and Culture to empower your journey and inspire conversation. 
• Embrace Race Resources to help parents foster resilience in children of color, nurture inclusive, empathetic children, raise kids who think critically about racial inequity, and support a movement of racial justice advocates for all children 
• Talking Race with Young Children: A podcast from NPR and Sesame Workshop. 
• Identity Matters: A Sesame Workshop study showing that understanding and valuing one’s identity and the identities of others can help children develop into more confident and accepting adolescents and adults. 
• How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism: A parent toolkit for talking about race, setting an example, navigating curiosity, making it relatable, addressing mistakes, and being an advocate. 
• Table Talk: Resources for sparking family conversation about current events. 
• Beyond the Golden Rule: A guide for parents on preventing and responding to prejudice at every age and stage. 

For Educators: 
Books and resources to help educators understand and explain racism and teach children to appreciate diversity and advocate for justice. 

• Becoming Upended: Teaching and Learning about Race and Racism with Young Children and Their Families: Guidance for early childhood educators on race and racism. 
• Talking about Race for Educators: Tools and resources from the National Museum of African American History and Culture to guide students in becoming aware of racial inequity and encouraging them to work toward positive change. 
• Teaching Tolerance: Curriculum resources to cultivate positive identity formation, encourage students to confront racial and ethnic injustice, and prepare them to live and work together in a diverse world. 
• Culturally Responsive Teaching: Resources for creating classrooms that welcome and celebrate students from all backgrounds.  

Play and Equity: 
Role of play in breaking down stereotypes, building relationships, and mitigating stress. 

• Learning about the World Through Play: An article about how kids learn about diversity through play. 
• Learning differences and similarities : An article about various activities children do to understand each other.