SPECTRUM

Abstract

Addressing complex and sensitive life/societal issues in parenting with young children can be difficult for parents. With racial inequality and discrimination coming to the front in society, also an interest in dealing with race and race-related issues in parenting arises. A colour blind view is endorsed by Dutch white people in general and as a consequence, a colour blind approach in parenting is popular. A colour blind approach in parenting means that parents avoid talking about race and race related issues. However, children already start developing race-related beliefs and behaviour from a young age (9 months), this is referred to as the ethnic-racial socialization process.

The aim of this project was to come up with interaction principles / a guideline for parents to talk about a complex and sensitive life/societal topic like race and race-related issues. For parents to adopt a colour conscious approach in parenting; talking openly about race and race-related issues and take into account own biases.

To start the project, a literature study was conducted. Negative effects of a colour blind approach were identified as well as the reasons why parents adopt a colour blind approach. Next to that, strategies in order to act colour conscious were identified through literature study based on experiences from parents identified as colour conscious. Also, the advice of experts were combined in a guideline on how to talk about race and race-related issues with young children in an age appropriate way. From the age of 7 a more sophisticated understanding of race and ethnicity develops and more serious topics can be discussed. The cognitive, emotional and social development of children in the age category 8-12 was investigated.

A Concept mapping session was performed with three parents, to understand their behaviours, motives, values and needs. The session gave insights in parents drivers and barriers, strategies they use and their view on colour conscious strategies and the family context. From these insights two personas were made, both needing different triggers in order to establish a conversation about race and race-related issues. From the user research and the literature study, envisioned interaction qualities and criteria were made to use in the design.

Ideas were generated in different design directions. It was chosen to design for the direct interaction between parent and child in the conversation. Several brainstorm sessions were done with design students to come up with inspiration. After this, explorations were done exploring the interplay of three main elements in the design: (1) the issue to address (2) the design form and (3) the principles to trigger the conversation. Multiple ideas were explored in three explorations. It was a journey in finding the content of and a way to facilitate the parent to have, a colour conscious conversation. In the last exploration two families evaluated the tool as well as a game design expert and a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

The final design SPECTRUM is a conversation game that consists out of stories including social interaction where parent and child go through in a playful way. Being triggered and engaged by the stories challenges both the parent and the child to think from a broad spectrum; thinking in different perspectives by taking into account possible experiences, feelings, intentions, context, etc. Each story adresses another theme addressing race and race-related issues.

To evaluate the game a prototype was made. The whole game experience was provided and three stories were worked out. This prototype was evaluated with three participating families. It evaluated on (1) the impact of the conversation, (2) the experience and (3) the usability. After the evaluation limitations of the project and recommendations for future research and development were addressed.