Young people bear witness to challenging or traumatic events in current events, media, and our local communities. Their thoughts, feelings, and reactions enter school spaces whether we introduce conversations or not. We adults have a natural instinct to protect our children from harsh realities and yet prepare them to navigate this complex world - is it possible to do both? What are ways to talk about identity, difference, and justice in age appropriate ways? How do you reinforce school values without shutting down perspectives? How do you facilitate authentic and respectful dialogue across difference? Engage in these questions and more through this interactive session.

1. Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
Seattle Girls’ School
Talking to Young People
About Complicated and Heated Topics
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

2. About Seattle Girls’ School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

3. Agenda
 Hard Topics in General
 Current Realities
 Young People’s Experience
 How to Talk to and With Youth
 Questions and Answers
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

4. Hard Topics in General
 Race
 Gender
 Class
 Religion
 Politics
 Sex
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

5. Current Realities
 Political Polarization
 COVID-19
 Black Lives Matter
 Anti-Asian Violence
 Immigration, Detention Centers, Etc.
 Climate Change and Denial
 Rise in Homelessness
 And More…
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

6. Young People’s Experience
 Increase in Anti-Group Sentiment
 Increased Uncivil Discourse
 Rise in Sadness, Fear, and Anxiety
 Increased Acting Out
 And More…
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

7. Developmentally Appropriate
Approaches and Talks
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

8. Early Awareness of Difference
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
Age Signs
6 months Can discern racial feature differences
3 years Awareness of own and others’ gender.
Beginning awareness of gender roles
5 years Desire to categorize – self, others
Curiosity about meaning of differences
Aware of biases
7 years Can regulate biases versus behaviors
Starting to parrot adult messages
3rd grade Are aware of societal stereotypes
cross group play can increase
5th grade Have internalized stereotypical messages
cross group play can decrease

9. When They’re Little
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
Theme: Trying to Understand the World
 Curiosity based questions about difference
 “Blurting out” of current understanding
 Find out what they’re actually saying/asking
 Find out why they’re saying/asking
 Answer their questions straightforwardly
 Model and coach humility, delight, and
curiosity about difference
 Be mindful of children’s media – it’s not
always good for kids

10. How to Talk to Young People
About Current Events
 What have you heard?
 How do you feel?
 What questions do you have?
 How can I support you?
 Here are our values.
 What positive action can you take?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

11. How to Talk to Young People
About Hate and Extremism
 Prepare Yourself
 Be Alert
 Listen
 Reassure
 Be Honest
 Share Values
 Take Action
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

12. How to Talk to Young People After
Personal Incidents
 “I want to help you feel strong.”
 Affection, correction, protection
 Emotions are always right; not all
action is always right
 Avoid either/or thinking
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

13. Helping Young People Talk to One Another
 Create Safety and Courage
 Express Feelings
 Generate Questions
 Share Facts
 Learn More
 Complicate Thinking
 Take Action
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

14. Talking With Your Kids
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
 Be explicit about values
 Be open about your own
struggles
 Don’t stay silent
 100 1-Minute Conversations
 Relationship Based
Interruption

15. Questions and Comments
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

16. Presenter Information
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
6th Faculty and
Professional Outreach
Seattle Girls’ School
2706 S Jackson Street
Seattle WA 98144
(206) 805-6562
rlee@seattlegirlsschool.org
http://tiny.cc/rosettalee
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)