Talking with Children About Race and Other Social Identities

This program will be held virtually via Zoom.

Details with instruction on how to view the webinar will be sent to all registrants the day before the program (8/5).

Friday, September 10, 2021 (Note: This is the second Friday of the month)

Program: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CT

Friday Forums are cosponsored with the Metropolitan State University Psychology Department.

About the Program

Children see race and they recognize phenotypical differences among people. However, research shows that not all parents, caregivers, and adults provide guidance (or even space) around how to navigate conversations about race, identity, and racism. Some parents and providers even avoid or silence the topic altogether. There are significant repercussions when we do not provide space for these formative conversations, as silence is where stereotypes, biases, and racism are reinforced. This forum will focus on navigating discussions around race and racism with children at various developmental levels; and why we don’t, why we should, and how to start (or continue) these discussions. Participants will learn the rationale behind the importance of having these conversations and concrete skills for initiating and facilitating these conversations about race. They will also be encouraged to reflect on their own case examples to identify ways in which race and identity may be at play for clients and students as well as to consider how to address these issues in a therapeutic or supervisory context.

This session is at the intermediate level and is designed for psychologists and other mental health professionals.

This session qualifies for 3.0 continuing education credits. You must attend the full 3-hour program to get continuing education credit for the event.

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify preliminary research findings about children’s understanding of race/identity.
2. Describe the importance of and guidelines for talking to children about race/identity and racism/discrimination.
3. Apply provided tools for facilitating conversations about race and identity and/or racism/discrimination with children.

About the Presenter:

Katherine (Katie) Lingras, Ph.D., LP, received an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development in the Developmental Psychopathology and Clinical Science Program. She is currently Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department of the University of Minnesota where she specializes in early childhood mental health, emotional/behavioral regulation concerns, and dyadic (parent-child) treatment for children who have experienced trauma. Her clinical work and research focuses on social-emotional development and building the capacities of the adults who care for them. Dr. Lingras co-directs the Psychiatry Department’s Early Childhood Mental Health Program, which provides assessment and outpatient parent-child treatment. She also works within the community providing mental health consultation and professional development training in early care and education settings as well as primary care clinics. Dr. Lingras is also passionate about work related to equity, diversity and inclusion: she is the founder and co-chair of her department’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, a member of the Medical School’s parallel committee, and serves as the department’s Deputy Vice Chair of the Impact and Well-Being Division which focuses on these cross-cutting issues in research, clinical, and education sectors. In her clinical work, supervision, and teaching, Dr. Lingras makes it a priority to center and explore identity and culture as important aspects of the therapeutic relationship both for the patient and the provider.

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:  If you need disability related accommodations to make this event accessible, please contact the Metropolitan State University Center for Accessibility Resources, 651-793-1549, or [email protected]. 

To Register:

Registration Pricing:

*Retired members have the option to pay the regular member rate to receive CE credit or take advantage of the discounted price with no CE.

MPA wants all members to have access to quality CE opportunities. If you are an MPA member and due to COVID-19 you are unable to work full time and can’t pay the full registration fee, please contact [email protected] to make other arrangements with staff.

Registration is now closed.

Click here to view and download a PDF program flyer and registration form.

Refund/Cancellation Policy: A 100% refund will be made if the event is cancelled. Refunds, less a $5 handling fee, will be given if a written cancellation is received at least two working days before the scheduled program begins. No refund or transfer is given the day of the program.