4yo asked me why someone killed MLK

[Anonymous]

Learned about this at preschool. No objection to learning about MLK, but does talking to preschoolers about how someone got killed seem a little much?

[Anonymous]

I mean, it's pretty central to the narrative...

[Anonymous]

Not at all. It's important.

If you were Christian, your kid would know that Jesus died for humanity's sins.

Every culture has their martyrs, OP, and children learn very early what moral lessons they bring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, it's pretty central to the narrative...

Right, I know. Maybe I was just surprised to hear my kid ask about something like that when I wasn’t expecting it. I ordinarily would not talk to my kid about something so violent.

[Anonymous]

So, what was your response?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, what was your response?

We told him it was an angry person. Kid decided that it was probably someone like the Grinch who probably didn’t have enough kindness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, what was your response?

We told him it was an angry person. Kid decided that it was probably someone like the Grinch who probably didn’t have enough kindness.

Wow I can see why you were so concerned.

[Anonymous]

Actually I think it’s a perfect age. Most, if not all 4 year olds will think that it’s a bad thing that MLK was assassinated. My hope is that kids with these types of educational experiences will grow up to become adults who think that it’s a bad thing to assassinate people who work for justice.

This is, perhaps, somewhat of a tangent, but MLK, JFK, RFK, and Malcolm X all had young kids when they were assassinated.
Imagine what those Moms had to tell their kids. Imagine the questions that these kids must have had. My hope is that by sharing the truth of our history in age-appropriate ways with even pre-school students, we can foster the kinds of communities that reject violence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, what was your response?

We told him it was an angry person. Kid decided that it was probably someone like the Grinch who probably didn’t have enough kindness.

Thanks for answering PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually I think it’s a perfect age. Most, if not all 4 year olds will think that it’s a bad thing that MLK was assassinated. My hope is that kids with these types of educational experiences will grow up to become adults who think that it’s a bad thing to assassinate people who work for justice.

This is, perhaps, somewhat of a tangent, but MLK, JFK, RFK, and Malcolm X all had young kids when they were assassinated.
Imagine what those Moms had to tell their kids. Imagine the questions that these kids must have had. My hope is that by sharing the truth of our history in age-appropriate ways with even pre-school students, we can foster the kinds of communities that reject violence.

Well, just remember what they say about good intentions.

[Anonymous]

Way too young. They are only starting to learn about death. They need to be taught empathy and compassion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, what was your response?

We told him it was an angry person. Kid decided that it was probably someone like the Grinch who probably didn’t have enough kindness.

Wow I can see why you were so concerned.

I was mostly a little flat footed and surprised. I just would not talk to my kid about someone getting killed on my own, and for that reason, I was surprised to get such a pointed question about it.

[Anonymous]

I remember my kindergartner coming home asking about 9/11 and airplanes crashing into buildings before I was ready to provide that level of detail.

It can definitely catch you off guard!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, what was your response?

We told him it was an angry person. Kid decided that it was probably someone like the Grinch who probably didn’t have enough kindness.

Wow I can see why you were so concerned.

I was mostly a little flat footed and surprised. I just would not talk to my kid about someone getting killed on my own, and for that reason, I was surprised to get such a pointed question about it.

You did well. No reason to be defensive. There’s enough time to teach your kid about Rev. King.

[Anonymous]

Something's fishy here. Why would the pre-school tell the kids that MLK was killed but not tell them why? Either your pre-schooler only listened to half the lesson or you're only telling half the story. Which is it?