Working Toward Racial Equity

Young children notice differences and make meaning of what they observe. We can influence the way children think about race and skin color. We can build a foundation for greater equity and conversations about race-- as we talk openly about what we see and as we appreciate differences. We can start when children are small to help create a climate of curiosity and compassion while we notice and talk about both similarities and differences. This is the foundation of an anti-bias education.

As a white educator working with families who are predominately white, I am eager to think of ways we can interrupt patterns of white privilege and white supremacist thinking. As teachers of young children in relationship with their families, we are in a unique position to help:

• de-center whiteness,
• appreciate differences,
• support our children and families' identity as changemakers,
• use picture books, songs and question prompts to support children's appreciation of skin tone and differences and mirror the broader reality of skin color and culture in the U.S.

Let’s share our stories and strategies to build greater racial equity as we teach.