How Can Diverse Literature Improve Understanding and Empathy?
Research has shown the impact of reading during early childhood development on improving comprehension and critical thinking. But what are the other benefits of reading that we should be thinking of? What about reading as a way to improve children’s emotional...
Dreaming about the future
Children have some of the most vivid imaginations. Which is why we want primary school children across the world to share their vision & ideas for the future.
How To Tell Great Bedtime Stories To Kids
Remember how your parents used to read bedtime stories to you until you were asleep? Turns out there are lots of advantages of telling bedtime stories to your children. Here’s what’s so good about it, and some tips on for telling great bedtime stories every night.
What are these books all about? (The Why)
Exposure to gender and race diversity at an early age helps create a better foundation for equality, which is why the Anika books do things differently. Our books feature diverse, non-gender stereotyped characters. Providing an opportunity for kids to visualize diverse characters in different roles, and for parents to explore these concepts comfortably. It’s not just for girls. Boys that understand gender and color diversity are important to supporting & spreading a message of equality.
Heroines of their story
Girls aren’t sidekicks. That isn’t well enough represented in children’s books. Having female lead characters, both good & bad, is important to teaching children that there’s their gender makes no difference. It’s very hard to feel equal when majority of the lead & speaking roles are males.
Diversity is normal
The best way to stop unconscious bias is to never let it set in. People of color should be seen equally as leaders, colleagues and friends. Showing children that diverse candidates perform all sorts of roles is essential to changing the realities of today. It doesn’t matter what color your hands are, they can do any job you want them to.
Be anything they want to be
The gender stereotypes that children are exposed to in their early years has a strong influence on what they choose to do. Which is why it’s important for boys and girls to be exposed to women in non-gender stereotype roles. It’s essential to creating an environment where girls feel comfortable choosing whatever career they want, and where boys actively support girls. A career isn’t an act of rebellion.