Reading to Children for Pride Month

With Pride Month in full swing, many children will have questions about what Pride Month is and why it’s celebrated. Like many topics, Pride and LGBTQ issues may seem daunting to talk about with children. However, it’s important to have a conversation with children to educate them and help them to understand the world around them. Here are a few ways that you can approach having a conversation about Pride with children in your life:

• Read Together

The Yonkers Public Library has a wide variety of Pride books for children. These books discuss topics like the history of pride, gender and sexuality in a way that is approachable for both children and parents. Reading together can foster a great conversation and be a bonding experience as well.

• Know the Facts

Children are naturally curious and they may have a lot of questions. It’s important to know a few facts. Pride Month began after the Stonewall Riots in New York City. This conversation can be kept simple for young children, but it can be beneficial for them to understand that Pride is both a celebration of LGBTQ individuals and a reminder of the harassment and hate many LGBTQ people still face. It’s also okay to not know all the answers! Learning about Pride and LGBTQ issues is a process for many, and reading and research makes this information accessible.

• Keep the Conversation Going

Conversations about Pride are not contained to the month of June. Children may continue to have questions, and it’s important to have a conversation that can provide answers. There are a lot of kid-friendly websites like The Conscious Kid and Woke Kindergarten that provide resources and reading lists to help foster conversations about LGBTQ issues. You can also check out videos on the YouTube channel Queer Kid Stuff which posts family-friendly content addressing LGBTQ topics.

You can check out these Pride Month reads for kids from the Yonkers Public Library. You can also ask a librarian for recommendations.

You can also join us at the Riverfront Branch on Friday, June 23 for Drag Story Hour. At 11:00 AM, come meet the fabulous Angel Elektra, Drag Queen Extraordinaire, for a fun filled storytime with books and songs! Drag Queen Story Hour uses storytelling and sparkle to give kids the confidence to express themselves while learning about gender diversity and empathy. 

This program is co-sponsored by Yonkers Pride. This event is open to children and families. Adults in attendance must be accompanied by a child.