The Power of Place: Visiting George Floyd Square with Young Children

Jun 1, 2022

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The Power of Place: Visiting George Floyd Square with Young Children
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George Floyd Square in Minneapolis has become a creative memorial and gathering space for healing. It also tells a much bigger story about racism, policing, and the struggle for racial justice in this country and around the world. All of this can be complicated and confusing for a young child. So how can we help children make sense of this? In this episode, Early Risers host Dianne Haulcy visits George Floyd Square with early childhood education expert Sheila Williams Ridge. Together they unpack how parents and caregivers can prepare to bring young children here, including what to do and say to help children heal.

Guest: Sheila Williams Ridge

Sheila Williams Ridge is co-director of the Child Development Laboratory School at the University of Minnesota. She’s also co-author of “Nature-Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Budget.”

Dianne Haulcy and Sheila Williams Ridge at George Floyd Square
Early Risers host Dianne Haulcy and Sheila Williams Ridge at George Floyd Square
Katey DeCelle for MPR
Dianne Haulcy and Sheila Williams Ridge at George Floyd Square mural
Early Risers host Dianne Haulcy and Sheila Williams Ridge at George Floyd Square mural
Andrea Bork | MPR
Dianne Haulcy and Sheila Williams Ridge at the Say Their Names Cemetery
Early Risers host Dianne Haulcy and Sheila Williams Ridge at the Say Their Names memorial cemetery
Katey DeCelle for MPR

Discussion Guide

Early Risers S3 E1 Discussion Guide

Videos

More Resources:

George Floyd Global Memorial

George Floyd and Anti-Racist Street Art Archive

From MPR News with Angela Davis: Coping with prolonged grief over George Floyd, mass shootings and the pandemic

From NPR: Many know how George Floyd died. A new biography reveals how he lived