Release Date: May 6, 2025
About The Book:
With the U.S. more racially diverse than it has been, do parents feel that they’ve created a family environment that supports cultural competency for their children to thrive in this diverse world? [Census*] Also, noted on the news almost daily, Americans have complex views on gender identity and transgender issues [** Pew Research]. What tools do parents have in place to navigate discussions with their child about these subjects?
More than ever, raising culturally competent children is crucial as it fosters empathy, respect, and open-mindedness. Family psychologist Samantha Sweeney, PhD has published Culturally Competent Kids: Raising Children to Thrive in a Diverse World, an essential guide that provides science-based framework for helping parents to raise children who respect and celebrate differences. This book helps parents get comfortable with their knowledge of diversity and learned biases so that they can welcome everyday discussions and practices.
While cultural diversity, prejudice, bullying, gender challenges and bias are often discussed in her Washington DC practice, Dr. Sweeney wrote this book for parents who know that culture is important, and they want to teach their children about the world around them, but don’t know where to start. This book is a parent’s best starting point and guide for great activities, conversations and family practices.
Research shows that while biases begin to develop at age 6, their origins begin much earlier. Unfortunately, diversity and culture are treated as though they are “grownup” concepts, however children recognize diversity all around them. Human beings naturally categorize, and your kids will develop preferences, prejudices, and opinions about people who are different from them. Therefore, it is important for parents to take an active role in helping their children see, understand, and develop their understanding of people and cultures that are different.
In Culturally Competent Kids, Dr. Sweeney offers practical advice and strategies for beginning and continuing a cultural competency journey with your family and yourself. Here are some points Dr. Sweeney discusses:
• STARTING A CONVERSATION: While it’s hard to tear kids from their phones these days, there are practical ways that parents can get their children’s attention by asking direct questions, setting up times for discussions, sharing your own daily challenges and inviting answers from your kids.
• COMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS: It’s ok to admit you aren’t completely comfortable about about diversity with your kids. The book has concrete examples of how to navigate comfort levels with your kids
• WORDS & BODY LANGUAGE: When talking with your child its important that a parent’s body language matches their words. This is how a child interprets what you are saying.
• MINI PEP TALKS FOR PARENTS: Psyching yourself up before a talk with your child. New mantras to help parents do the right thing. Ways to make mantra’s individualized. Remember, your child has the power to change the world. Be the catalyst in your family
• COMFORT WITH WORDS, ACRONYMS, PRONOUNS: Parents will learn word comfort, how to know what accepted words to use and how to use in everyday language
• BIAS: Almost everyone has biases. Whether you are conscious of it or not, parents will learn how to acknowledge their biases and how to deal with them to foster a more inclusive cultural journey. Parents will learn how to talk with their children about bias and prejudice in today’s world – whether seen on Youtube or TikTok or experienced first hand.
• HOW TO INCORPORATE INCLUSION INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE: From cultural activities to attend in your neighborhood to adding new cultural restaurants try or visiting festivals with music celebrating other cultures, there is something your families can do every week.
• CULTURAL COMPETENCY AT HOLIDAYS: How to incorporate cultural ideas throughout the year, especially during holidays and vacations
• AND MUCH MORE …
About The Author:
Dr. Samantha Sweeney is a licensed psychologist, author, and educator in Washington, DC. She has a private practice on Capitol Hill serving kids, families, and adults. Her first book, Working With Worry: A Workbook for Parents on How to Support Anxious Children, gives parents practical tools to support their children. She is a cultural competence expert dedicated to helping kids and parents develop this essential skill through consultations, presentations and workshops. https://www.fpsch.com/
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