Blog

Dr. Samantha Sweeney on raising 'Culturally Competent Kids'

From WAMC Northeast Public Radio

"On this week’s 51%, we chat with psychologist Dr. Samantha Sweeney about why teaching your kids to celebrate diversity is important to their success as adults – and how to do it. Sweeney lays out a guide for parents in her new book Culturally Competent Kids: Raising Children to Thrive in a Diverse World."

You can listen here

More about this book

This book is for the parent who knows that culture is important. It is for the parent who wants to teach their child about the world around them, but doesn’t know where to start. Let this book be your starting point and your guide.

The goal of Culturally Competent Kids is to help you raise your children to become adults who respect and celebrate differences, rather than simply tolerating them.

Research shows that while biases begin to develop at age 6, their origins begin much earlier. Unfortunately, diversity and culture are treated as though they are “grownup” concepts, as if children don’t recognize that diversity is all around them. Human beings naturally categorize and your kids will develop preferences, prejudices, and opinions about people who are different from them. Therefore, it is important for parents to take an active role in helping their children see, understand, and develop their understanding of people and cultures that are different. 

As Dr. Sweeney says, “We don’t have to all be friends, or even like each other, to treat each other with respect.”

This book provides a science-based framework with ideas and options to explore as you embark on this cultural competence journey with your kids and also with yourself.

About the Author 

Dr. Samantha Sweeney is a licensed psychologist, author, and educator in Washington, DC. She has a private practice on Capitol Hill serving kids, families, and adults. Her first book, Working With Worry: A Workbook for Parents on How to Support Anxious Children, gives parents practical tools to support their children. She is a cultural competence expert dedicated to helping kids and parents develop this essential skill through consultations, presentations and workshops.

A book for parents that provides a science-based framework 

Culturally Competent Kids is for the parent who knows that culture is important. 

It is for the parent who wants to teach their child about the world around them, but doesn’t know where to start. Let this book be your starting point and your guide.

The goal of Culturally Competent Kids is to help you raise your children to become adults who respect and celebrate differences, rather than simply tolerating them.

Research shows that while biases begin to develop at age 6, their origins begin much earlier. Unfortunately, diversity and culture are treated as though they are “grownup” concepts, as if children don’t recognize that diversity is all around them. Human beings naturally categorize and your kids will develop preferences, prejudices, and opinions about people who are different from them. Therefore, it is important for parents to take an active role in helping their children see, understand, and develop their understanding of people and cultures that are different. 

As the author, Dr. Sweeney says, “We don’t have to all be friends, or even like each other, to treat each other with respect.”

In the clip below, she introduces the book. 

About the Author 

Dr. Samantha Sweeney is a licensed psychologist, author, and educator in Washington, DC. She has a private practice on Capitol Hill serving kids, families, and adults. Her first book, Working With Worry: A Workbook for Parents on How to Support Anxious Children, gives parents practical tools to support their children. She is a cultural competence expert dedicated to helping kids and parents develop this essential skill through consultations, presentations and workshops.

Licensed psychologist, author, and educator based in Washington, DC, Dr. Samantha Sweeney joins The Perkins Platform to share her work and discuss anxiety in children and some of the potential causes behind its rise. Dr. Sweeney has a private practice on Capitol Hill, where she supports children, families, and adults. She holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Maryland and a psychology degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Her background includes work in both public and private schools, with experience as a preschool teacher, school psychologist, researcher, and university instructor. An expert in cultural competence, she is passionate about helping families raise confident, inclusive children.

Dr. Sweeney is the author of Working With Worry: A Workbook for Parents on How to Support Anxious Children, and her upcoming book, Culturally Competent Kids, is designed to help families thrive in a diverse world. In therapy, she focuses on empowerment, connection, and honoring the whole person behind the challenges they face. 

LISTEN

About The Perkins Platform

In its 13th year, The Perkins Platform is a series of expertly facilitated conversations with world experts in a variety of disciplines. These conversations illuminate problems, issues and solutions faced and considered by aspiring and veteran leaders.

AN EASY-TO-READ GUIDE ABOUT PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH, AND BABY CARE

 

All you need to know to make healthy choices that feel right for you before, during, and after pregnancy.

• - Sexual health – family planning before, during, and after pregnancy. How to track periods, avoid STIs, and take care of your body.
  
  
• - Pregnancy – how a baby forms and grows, and how your body changes in pregnancy. All about prenatal care, such as prenatal tests and what to expect at checkups.
  
  
• - Staying healthy – exercise, healthy eating, vaccines, avoiding germs, and making healthy habits. Tips for coping with hard feelings and mood changes.
  
  
• - Birth – how to get ready and what to expect for vaginal and c-section births. Labor tips, coping with pain, and important things to know. Also covers how to help your body heal after birth.
  
  
• - Baby – all about how to take care of your newborn. Covers breastfeeding, bottle feeding, circumcision, vaccines, car seats, and how to keep your new baby healthy and safe.

Also includes tips for partners, checklists, a glossary, and a list of resources to find more help. 

About the Authors

Jenny B. Harvey brings experience in human development, family support, injury prevention, perinatal health, and infant care. Jenny has spent her career supporting, educating, and empowering families to be healthy, safe, and happy.

Deborah D. Stewart has made a career of making complex information understandable as a health professional and advocate for children's safety. She spent time in the Peace Corps and with Planned Parenthood, working in family planning and nutrition in both organizations. In the last decade she has focused on the health issues of mothers and children from pregnancy through the early years of childhood. 

These resources are designed to accompany Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, 5th Edition, Living a Healthy with Chronic Pain, 2nd Edition, and Aging Well with HIV. 

This list includes suggested further readings, useful websites, and other helpful resources. It's compiled by the authors of the book and maintained by the publisher.

Getting Started - Index

To get started, select a topic below. Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

Other things you might need

Visit the Self-Management Resource Centre | Millions of adults live with one or more chronic health conditions. Our programs help people and their caregivers manage their symptoms, improve their quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs.

Looking for copies of My Action Plan, charts, worksheets, or Self Tests that appear in the books? You can download copies from our website. 

• - Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, 5th Edition
• - Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain, 2nd Edition

Report a broken link  | If you would like to report a broken link or make a suggestion, please contact us. 

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

Websites

Healthcare.gov | A government-sponsored website that explains how people with preexisting conditions can be covered under the new law

Choosing a Health Plan | How to Evaluate Different Options

Insure Kids Now! | National campaign to link the nation's uninsured children -- from birth to age 18 -- to free and low-cost health insurance

Partnership for Prescription Assistance | Resource for finding programs to help cover prescription medication

J. Kiffin Penry Patient Travel Assistance Fund | Epilepsy Foundation fund to help families who must travel more than 50 miles for medical care

The Catalyst Center | National center dedicated to improving health care insurance and financing for youth with special health care needs

From the Epilepsy Foundation

- Sample Seizure Action Plan | https://www.epilepsy.com/preparedness-safety/action-plans

- Medical Marijuana | https://www.epilepsy.com/treatment/alternative-therapies/medical-marijuana

- SUDEP | https://www.epilepsy.com/complications-risks/early-death-sudep

Additional sources

- Rare Epilepsy Network | https://www.rareepilepsynetwork.org/

- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline | https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ 
Dial 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor. They are available 24 hours a day, 7-days a week. 

- List of Seizure Medications | https://www.epilepsy.com/stories/summary-anti-seizure-medications

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

Websites

Zen Habits by Leo Babauta | https://zenhabits.net/about/

Print

Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything by BJ Fogg, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019.

Also available as an online program | https://www.tinyhabits.com/ 

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

Websites

American Heart Association | https://www.heart.org

Nonprofit organization offering healthy living tips and information about different heart related health topics, caregiver support and community forums. 

• High Blood Pressure https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: High Blood Pressure | https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/ 

Mayo Clinic: Video - How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor | https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/multimedia/how-to-measure-blood-pressure/vid-20084749

Mayo Clinic: High blood pressure (hypertension) | https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410

Medline Plus: High Blood Pressure | https://medlineplus.gov/highbloodpressure.html 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute | https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute plans, conducts, and supports research, clinical trials, and observational studies related to the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases, and sleep disorders. 

• High Blood Pressure https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-pressure 

Videos

Mayo Clinic: How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor | https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/multimedia/how-to-measure-blood-pressure/vid-20084749 

Medline Plus: Hypertension Overview | https://medlineplus.gov/ency/anatomyvideos/000072.htm

National Association of Community Health Centers: How to use your home blood pressure monitor | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tGyRJxbYpQ 

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

Websites

Arthritis Foundation | https://www.arthritis.org/

Official website of The Arthritis Foundation, also available in Spanish includes a blog, resource finder and helpline. 

- Living with Arthritis https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/ 

- Walk with Ease Program https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/tools-resources/walk-with-ease/ 

National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases | https://www.niams.nih.gov/ 

Government agency. Search arthritis, osteoporosis, and other topics:

- https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis

Programs

Fit & Strong! | https://www.fitandstrong.org

- An exercise program for adults with arthritis

Print

Shlotzhauer, T. L. (2014). Living with rheumatoid arthritis. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

Alzheimer Society of Canada – Find your area’s Alzheimer Society
https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/find-your-areas-alzheimer-society

Brain Injury Canada
https://braininjurycanada.ca/

Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health – Supporting the mental health of older adults by connecting people, ideas & resources
https://ccsmh.ca/


Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
https://cnpea.ca/
- Find help by province and territory: https://cnpea.ca/en/what-is-elder-abuse/get-help


Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence – Support and empower caregivers and care providers by advancing the knowledge and capacity of the caregiving field and advocating visionary social policy 
https://canadiancaregiving.org/

Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence – Caregiver resources by province and territory
https://canadiancaregiving.org/caregivers/caregiver-resources/

Carers Canada – Leading national advocacy and awareness for caregivers
https://www.carerscanada.ca/


Canadian Dental Care Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental.html

Canadian Frailty Network
https://www.cfn-nce.ca/frailty-matters/living-with-frailty/avoiding-falls/

Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health 
https://www.ccsa.ca/canadas-guidance-alcohol-and-health

Canadian Pharmacists Expanded Scope of Practice
https://www.pharmacists.ca/advocacy/scope-of-practice/


Canadian Red Cross – Friendly Calls Program
https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/community-health-services-in-canada/friendly-calls-program

Dial 2-1-1 – To connect to community services (24 hours a day; Canada-wide)
- 211 is Canada’s primary source of information for government and community-based, non-clinical health and social services.
- The free and confidential service can be accessed 24 hours a day, in more than 150 languages, by phone, chat, text, and web.
- 211 helps connect people to the right information and services, making their pathway to care and resources a guided and trusted one.
https://211.ca/


Dial 9-8-8 – Canada’s national suicide crisis helpline
https://988.ca/

Families and caregivers - Benefits and services for family, including survivors and caregivers
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/language_selection_page?destination=/node/117

A Friendly Voice – For older adults aged 55 and above living in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces only
https://afriendlyvoice.ca/

Government of Canada Victim Services Directory
https://www.justice.gc.ca/

Government of Canada Employment Insurance (EI) Caregiving Benefits
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/caregiving.html

Government of Canada - Health Information 
- https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/chronic-diseases.html

Government of Canada - Retirement Living - Seniors Housing 
https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/retirement-planning/cost-seniors-housing.html

Health Canada Safe Medication Use
https://safemedicationuse.ca/tools_resources/tips_prescriptionlabel.html

Healthy Eating
- Canada's Food Guide - https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/
- Diabetes Canada - https://diabetes.ca/about-diabetes-(3)/impact-stories/a-new-way-to-look-at-your-plate
- Dietitians of Canada Unlockfood - www.unlockfood.ca

Medical Cannabis - Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/Medical-Use-of-Cannabis-and-Cannabinoids-en.pdf

National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE)
https://www.nicenet.ca/

Physical Activity/Exercise
- Active Aging Canada – Resources for Staying Active at Home - https://www.activeagingcanada.ca/participants/get-active/healthy-living/active--aging-at-home.htm
- Senior Adult Fitness Exercises (SAFE) – McGill University Health Centre - https://safe-seniors.com

Public Health Agency of Canada Stop Family Violence
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html


Service Canada – Programs and services for seniors
- List of programs and services
- Toll-free telephone number
- List of resources by province or territory
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/seniors.html

Veterans Affairs Canada
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/families-and-caregivers

Veterans Affairs Canada Care at Home Resource Guide
https://www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca/en/publications/resource-guides-and-information/care-home-resource-guide

Women’s Shelters Canada – If you’re a woman experiencing abuse, there is someone you can reach out to anytime, day or night
A shelter is more than a place to stay. It’s the first step in finding the support and services you need, no matter where you are.
https://sheltersafe.ca/