WaPo Article: 3-Month-Olds Have Implicit Bias; Train Those Toddlers About ‘Social Justice’

The Washington Post recently published an article quoting various authors, psychology professors and people who work with children suggesting that extremely young children should be taught about “social justice” and arguing that children as young as three months old are plagued by “implicit bias.”

The article starts by asserting, “In the era of Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, many parents are wondering when the right time is to talk to their children about social justice. Experts say it’s never too early, and a new wave of tools and resources can help start the conversation. You can enroll in a music class (virtually now) that develops understanding of gender and personhood. A drag queen story time will soon be a television show. And there are more and more children’s books that discuss intersectionality and broaden representation, plus flashcards and short videos that teach parent and toddler about anti-racism ideas.”

Then the piece buttresses the argument that young children should be targeted with training to make them more aware of social justice. Psychology professors Leigh Wilton and Jessica Sullivan of Skidmore College argue that children can develop implicit bias at the age of three months. Sullivan states, “Parents often report discussing topics, like death, with children when it comes up. Perhaps the trick, then, is to be intentional about noticing when and how race comes up in daily life, and using those moments as opportunities for discussion.”

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