When the world feels uncertain, children look to the adults they trust for answers. But what happens when the people children are taught to see as "helpers" don't always make them feel safe? Dianne Haulcy sits down with Emma Swift Lee, director of the Fred Rogers Institute, to explore how caregivers can have honest, age-appropriate conversations about race, fear and safety. Together they discuss why children need truthful answers and how simple, reassuring conversations can help them make sense of difficult events while preserving hope. Inspired by Fred Rogers' work, Emma shares practical strategies for talking with young children about scary news, redefining what it means to be a helper and reminding every child that they are loved, valued and worthy just as they are.

Emma Swift Lee is the Director of the Fred Rogers Institute at Saint Vincent College, where she works with educators and caregivers to support the interactions and relationships that help children grow and learn. Emma and her colleagues are continually learning from Fred Rogers' legacy and practical scholarship in child development in order to develop professional learning and community-building opportunities for children's helpers. Before joining the institute, Emma worked at the RAND Corporation as a policy analyst. Her work included research, evaluation and technical assistance for projects in early childhood and K-12 education in both rural and urban settings. She holds an Ed.M. in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University and a B.A. in Psychology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Fred Rogers Institute – Practical tools, articles, and videos for helping children navigate difficult conversations, emotions, and challenging current events.

Fred Rogers Productions – Parenting resources, free family activities and conversation starters focused on emotions, kindness, empathy and building resilience.

Sesame Workshop: See Us Coming Together – Age-appropriate resources that help families talk about race, identity, belonging and community through stories and activities.

PBS KIDS for Parents – Activities and conversation starters about feelings, kindness, community and current events.

When immigration raids and stories of racial profiling make headlines, young children notice. They hear conversations, ask difficult questions and often bring their worries into play. In this episode, Host Dianne Haulcy talks with Marie Lister of the University of Minnesota Child Development Laboratory School and Debbie LeeKeenan, co-founder of Anti-Bias Leaders ECE, about how educators can respond with honesty, compassion and confidence. Lister shares how preschoolers processed fears about immigration enforcement through dramatic play and classroom conversations, while LeeKeenan explains why avoiding children's questions can leave them to make sense of injustice on their own. Together, they explore practical ways adults can acknowledge fear without creating more anxiety, talk openly about fairness and belonging, and help children see themselves, and others, as valued members of their communities.

Debbie LeeKeenan is the co-founder and co-director of Anti-Bias Leaders ECE and a nationally recognized educator, author, and consultant with more than 50 years of experience in early childhood education. A former teacher, center director and university faculty member, she is a leading voice in anti-bias education and family engagement, and producer of two recent award-winning anti-bias films for educators and families. She is a Chinese American, born of an immigrant working class family and part of a mixed-race family.

Marie Lister is the director of teaching and research at the University of Minnesota’s Child Development Lab School. She has been a preschool teacher for 18 years, and is passionate about inclusive, child-centered learning environments. She also works as a coach with Young Hearts, Open Minds, helping educators learn how to talk about race and racism with young children and create anti-bias learning environments grounded in belonging and equity.

Anti-Bias Leaders ECE - Professional learning and practical tools to help adults foster identity, diversity, justice and action in early childhood.

“All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman - A picture book that celebrates inclusion, belonging, and diverse classrooms.

“NAEYC Guide for Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves,” Second Edition -
A foundational guide to helping young children develop positive identities and recognize fairness and inclusion.

Learning For Justice - Free classroom and family resources that help adults teach about diversity, fairness, and belonging.

When immigration raids and news headlines dominate conversations, children notice, even when adults think they're too young to understand. In this episode, host Dianne Haulcy reflects on Minnesota's federal immigration enforcement operation and talks with Season 7 Host Andre Dukes about why families need honest, age-appropriate conversations during uncertain times. You'll hear from play therapist and author Olivia Garcia, who explains how stories can help children make sense of difficult events while reinforcing that they belong. You’ll also hear from children's mental health specialist Brandon Jones, who shares practical strategies for limiting harmful media exposure, answering tough questions and helping young children feel supported. Together, they explore how race, identity and community shape children's experiences and why calm, truthful conversations are one of the most powerful tools adults have to build resilience.

Andre Dukes is a widely respected early childhood leader based in Minneapolis and trusted expert on the topic of identity development. Andre was the featured guest on the inaugural episode of Early Risers in 2021 and served as the podcast’s host in 2025. Andre has spent the last decade of his career focused on child development and academic success in North Minneapolis, a community with a deeply rooted history of strategic disinvestment and racial segregation. Andre serves as vice president of family and community impact at Northside Achievement Zone, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit.

Olivia Garcia’s “Outside Our Window” e-book.

Meeting the Moment: How to talk with young children about ICE in our communities, a conversation with Andre Dukes, Olivia Garcia and Brandon Jones.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Guides for talking with children after traumatic or frightening events, recognizing stress responses, and promoting healing.

“Something Happened In Our Town” children’s book - Helps adults discuss racial injustice and community violence with young children in an age-appropriate way.

National Immigrant Justice Center – Know Your Rights – Legal rights information and family preparedness resources for immigrant communities.