Representation Matters! How Representation Can Improve Your Child's Mental Health Artwork

Notes from a Child Psychologist

Welcome to the “Notes from a Child Psychologist Podcast”, a place for parents who aspire to be intentional about meeting their child’s mental health needs. The “Notes From a Child Psychologist Podcast” is hosted by Dr. Tasha Brown, a licensed clinical psychologist. In her clinical practice, Dr. Brown provides a wide variety of evidence-based clinical services to parents and children. Dr. Brown is passionate about helping the individuals she works with function adequately at home, school, and in their communities. She is EXCITED about using this platform to help parents make decisions about their children’s everyday lives. Each week the podcast will explore topics that directly impact the mental health of children. Parents will walk away with facts, resources, and practical tools that will help them make decisions for their children and family that work for them!

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Notes from a Child Psychologist

Representation Matters! How Representation Can Improve Your Child's Mental Health

February 15, 2022 • Dr. Tasha Brown • Season 1 • Episode 7

Welcome back to part 3 of this 4-part Black History Month Series!

Five years ago, 3-year old Sophia from South Carolina went viral when she visited a Target with her mother and chose a doll made in the image of her favorite cartoon character -Doc McStuffins.

The cashier questioned why Sophia, a 3-year old white child, would choose a black doll. Sophia's response was heard worldwide as she explained how she and Doc McStuffins were the same - including they were both doctors and both pretty.

The moral of the story is that representation and exposure matter for all children. While Sophia's story makes my heart sing as a doctor, I want us to do more to ensure that children of all genders and races see themselves represented in media and academics. In today's episode, I am focusing on why representation matters for black children and the ways that adults and the community at large can advocate for representation.

[00:02:15] Listen as I recap our 4- Part Black History Series and updates about future episodes
[00:06:46] The article of the week: The 1940's Doll Test The Study of The Psychological Effects of Segregation and how it relates to representation.
[00:10:06] What is representation - and how adults can use it to impact their child(rens) mental health positively.
[00:11:49] Research-based information on how representation impacts children's mental health -such as identity development and more.
[00:18:07] Discovering how diversity and exposure encourages empathy and compassion for other races and cultures
[00:20:47] What can we do to make sure that there's diversity in a child or adolescence? Mindful strategies for parents and caregivers
[00:30:31] Helping to instill pride and a positive self-image.

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