Parents and teachers must take advantage of opportune moments and literature to address children about resisting biases in society, said panel members in a discussion last night.

"We tend to do these one-shot deals such as Martin Luther King Day, certain Jewish holidays, and Hispanic holidays to teach children about other cultures," said Mollie Jackson, (graduate-education) one of the panelists.

"If we don't inform children, they will hear information in other ways that will perpetuate bias," Jackson said.

Titled "Anti-Bias Parenting and Teaching: Preparing our Children to Live in a World Free of Bias," the event, held in the HUB Fishbowl, was sponsored by the Centre County chapter of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Terrell Jones, discussion moderator and newly appointed University special assistant to the provost, summarized the discussion.

"What we are trying to do is develop a society that is not encapsulated," Jones said. "We want people to see things differently, because prejudice affects us all."

Other panelists presented a variety of tools to advise parents in educating their children about respecting diversity and recognizing pre-conceived biases.

"Parents should be concerned that books for young children have all racial categories," said Sharlene Marbury, Penn State Bookstore children's specialist.

Marbury said she tried desperately to remove the book Little Black Sambo from the Penn State Bookstore on campus, because the illustrations stereotype black people.

"When a child says I can't play with you, because you killed my lord, ignorance causes this (bias to continue)," said Rabbi Eisesnstat, community member and parent.

Leigh O'Brien, doctoral candidate and department of education faculty member, stressed the importance of multi-cultural education.

"When we teach about certain concepts, we need to teach how they impact all types of people,"she said.

Richard Kaiser, former president of the American Indian Association, said: "There are many books that are historically inaccurate in their portrayal of Native Americans. . . They are not the original tribal names in that particular tribes language."

An audience of 70 had many reflections and responses to the topic.

"I feel that it is really necessary to start with self-esteem education " said Marie Bowlers, coordinator for Residence Hall Programs."When children feel so poorly about themselves, they are likely to generalize and stereotype other people."