Anti - Bias Training and Education Programs for Children

Some parents recognize that the ability to interact with individuals from different backgrounds is an increasingly important life skill. In the face of increasing bias and hate crime - a majority done by children - several organizations are offering anti-bias training programs that teachers and parents can offer to their children.

Listed below are a few resources you can review as you explore options for your children:

• A World of Difference Institute - run by the Anti-Defamation League - addresses diversity issues in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade school communities. These age-appropriate program helps students to explore prejudice and bigotry, improve critical thinking skills, examine diverse viewpoints, and take leadership roles. Visit the ADL website for more information about the program and to view sample lessons for early childhood, elementary and middle school students and high school students.
  
• Barnes & Noble teamed up with the Anti-Defamation league to run a campaign - Close the Book on Hate. Their program booklet "101 ways to combat prejudice" is available as a pdf download. The booklet offers practical suggestions for combating prejudice at home, in schools, in the workplace, in the community and in houses of worship. It also contains a helpful list of definitions, resources, and a recommended reading list of books included in the "Close the Book on Hate" campaign.
  
• The ADL website also lists programs and resources by age group. For a complete list visit the resource webpage
  
• UnderstandingPrejudice.org offers an anti-bias bibliography for teachers
  
• Columbia University's Directory of Anti-Bias Education Resources and Services is provided on the RaceMatters.org website.