Children are never too young to talk about race. Stokes and Draayer encouraged us to have conversations about race with our children at an early age. Research shows that race-related stressors can cause trauma symptoms; however, high ethnic identity can serve as a buffer against the negative impact of race-related stressors on mental health. Coping strategies for children who have experienced traumatic racial events could include: journaling, talking through the incident and time-lining it, powering off from triggering social media, connecting with others who understand, and having a voice and becoming an advocate. Stokes also highlighted the CLCBE (Calculate, Locate, Communicate, Breath, & Exhale) method by Professor Howard Stevenson. Above all, Draayer and Stokes highlighted our need to develop our children’s identity in Christ and what His plan is for their lives.
Additional Resource: https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Multiracial-Children-Nurturing-Racialized/dp/162317449X
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