As a parent with progressive values, raising kids with big hearts, open minds, and critical thinking skills is extremely important to me. I didn’t learn the true meaning of social allyship (and I will always be learning) until I finished college, and for my kids, this simply will not do.
As they go through life in its many phases, I want them to understand what it means to be an ally, so they can best support their friends and others who experience oppression in society, simply based on who they are.
I believe most parents/teachers/caregivers grapple with when to start having difficult conversations about societal inequity with their kids.
Yet research indicates that starting from a very young age, children are taught who has power and who is valued in society, through media, interactions with family members and friends, etc. Knowing this, it is never too early.
And because social allyship is immensely important, I wanted to help adults learn how to teach kids about social allyship with a printable guide.
Want to learn more?
Let’s first define an ally as a partner who works in solidarity alongside members of marginalized communities to correct the systems that obstruct them from advancing in society. Allies work for everyone to be treated fairly regardless of race, ability, sexuality, socioeconomic status, etc.
Anyone can be an ally if they put in the work. Some of us are born with benefits specific to the groups we belong to. For example: A white woman can be an ally to indigenous groups, a straight person can be an ally to LGBTQIA members, a man can be an ally to women.
Most importantly, being an ally means working hard to move everyone forward.
Learn How to teach kids about social allyship with this educational, ABC guide.
I created this printable guide to help kids do just that. Dive deep! The goal is for them to feel adequate in their understanding of the terms and concepts that accompany allyship work, and to learn to celebrate diversity, which provides them a more worldly perspective.
In doing so, my hope is that overtime, they will acquire the skillset necessary to recognize injustice when they encounter it, and the confidence to challenge intolerance when it presents itself.
Help Kids understand the importance of social allyship with this inclusive parent/teacher/caregiver resource on how to become an ally in solidarity with marginalized communities. Together we can make the world a brighter place.
Why is this work important? Let’s dive deeper. Download our Printable!
