Navigating Tough Conversations: Shelby Kretz on Talking Social Justice with Kids

Dr. Shelby Kretz is the creator of Little Justice Leaders, an organization that provides social justice education resources for educators and families. Shelby earned her Ph.D. in Education from UCLA, and her research explores social justice education at the elementary school level. Over the past decade, Shelby has worked with thousands of parents, teachers, and school leaders to bring social justice education to elementary aged kids.She emphasizes that biases begin to form as early as three years old, making it crucial for educators and parents to have resources that support age-appropriate conversations about complex topics such as race, gender, and disability justice. With a focus on collaboration and continuous learning, this conversation underscores the significance of fostering critical thinking and empathy in children as they navigate today’s multifaceted world.Takeaways: Parents and educators must engage young children in conversations about social justice early. Little Justice Leaders provides resources for teachers to address complex social issues effectively. The shift to digital resources allows for more accessibility and affordability in education. Building a supportive community among educators fosters collaboration and shared learning experiences. It's crucial to keep up with changing language and terminology surrounding social justice topics. Creating a curriculum that evolves with students ensures they grasp the principles of justice. Websitewww.littlejusticeleaders.comSocial Media Information@littlejusticeleaders on IG, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTubeShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)https://nape.org.uk/Discover more about Education on Fire🔥 https://www.educationonfire.com/🔥 Support the show with a One-Off Tiphttps://educationonfire.com/support🔥 Ecamm Free Trial – How I record and produce this show.https://educationonfire.com/ecamm🔥 Captivate.FM – My podcast hosthttps://educationonfire.com/captivate🔥 Descript – My Editing Toolhttps://educationonfire.com/descript🔥 London School of Public Relations – https://educationonfire.com/lsprA comprehensive 1-day CPD-accredited certificated Podcasting course.Some of the above are affiliate links, I may receive a small commission if you purchase via these but there is no cost increase to you. These links help support the channel so any clicks are greatly appreciated.