California MAP* to Inclusion and Belonging… *Making Access Possible March 2021 Newsletter
Equity, Anti-Bias and Anti-Racism Resources for the Early Learning and Care Community
The early childhood field has been actively working toward building inclusive, equitable learning opportunities for the past several years. MAP to Inclusion and Belonging, and the Statewide California Collaborative on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CA CSEFEL) acknowledged the inequity and bias in the system by creating the Preventing Suspension and Expulsion of Young Children in Child Care & Early Education Settings website that begins to illuminate the bias associated with suspensions and expulsions with a powerful introductory video by Rosemarie Allen and these resources .
The NAEYC’s Advancing Equity Initiative affirms the early childhood field’s commitment to make sure that all children thrive by recognizing and building on each child’s unique set of individual and family strengths, cultural background, home language, abilities, and experiences. Attempts to face head-on the longstanding inequities that prevail in our field are demonstrated by the Position Statement on Advancing Equity and the summary of the 2018 Leading and Working toward Equity Leadership Summit.
A new awareness of racism and systemic bias arose in the summer of 2020 during the pandemic. After witnessing the murder of George Floyd and the many more examples of inequity that we’ve seen recently, the early childhood field along with many other groups have recognized the urgent need for understanding of systemic bias and racism and the need for action. Organizations across disciplines in the early childhood field have developed educational webinars, publications and videos to address these needs and provide resources to promote understanding and support for early learning and care professionals, families and children in building a more equitable, inclusive world.
The MAP Team has been gathering the newest educational resources for early learning and care professionals. They include publications, webinars and videos in the section entitled, “Resources to Help You Learn About Equity and Anti-Racism” and videos, activities and books for families and care providers in the “Multi-media Resources for Families and Care Providers” area. In addition, we’ve listed links to many other resources on this topic posted earlier on the MAP website.
In this issue:
- Resources to Help You Learn About Equity and Anti-Racism
- Multi-media Resources For Families and Care Providers
- Sesame Street’s “The Power of We: A Watch and Play Together Guide”
- Four Children’s Books About Empathy That Shows that Everyone Matters!
- Topics for Kids and Parents to Talk About Together: A Kids’ Book About Publishing Company
- Inspiration for the Future! (Video and Book)
- Bedtime Story Series Read by Black Men
- Diversifying Your Book Collection
- Additional Resources From Other Areas on the MAP Website
1. Resources to Help You Learn About Equity and Anti-Racism
This group of resources includes publications, webinars and videos from well-respected sources that provide information on equity and racism in early childhood. To gain in depth information on the history and manifestation of racism as it applies to various roles in early education you can choose from a range of professional development webinars geared toward early childhood educators, administrators, program directors, special educators and early childhood mental health consultants.
Publications
Start with Equity: From the Early Years to the Early Grades
Children's Equity Project and Bipartisan Policy Center Report | 2020The Children’s Equity Project and the Bipartisan Policy Center , with support from the Heising Simons Foundation, released a new report: Start with Equity: From the Early Years to the Early Grades. The report provides a review of the data and research on three key equity indicators and provides an actionable policy roadmap for Congress, federal agencies, states and districts to take meaningful steps to remedy these inequities in early learning and education systems. Briefs on the three key equity indicators are below:
- In brief - Harsh Discipline and its Disproportionate Application (PDF)
- In brief - Inclusive Learning for Children with Disabilities (PDF)
- In brief - Equitable Access to High-Quality Learning Opportunities for DLLs and ELs (PDF)
Find more, including a report and the corresponding four-part webinar series
Significant Disproportionality in Special Education: Current Trends and Actions for Impact
National Center for Learning Disabilities | October 19, 2020Years of research point to inequities in education for students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities. These inequities are particularly apparent when it comes to rates of discipline and special education enrollment.
Being misidentified as needing special education, placed in a restrictive setting, or disciplined more frequently and harshly can negatively affect student outcomes. To correct and prevent these trends, education professionals and policymakers must first understand the magnitude of significant disproportionality for students of different races and ethnicities.
NCLD created a comprehensive white paper and six accompanying briefs to share data showing how students from specific communities are impacted.
How Racism Can Effect Child Development (Infographic)
Center for the Developing Child, Harvard University | 2020It’s time to connect these dots. This infographic explains in basic terms how racism in particular gets “under the skin” and affects learning, behavior, and lifelong health. There is much more to say, but by starting with a shared understanding, we can work together toward creative strategies to address these long-standing inequities.
More information and resources are available in the article Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health are Deeply Entwined .
Webinars
Addressing Elephants in the Room: Equity and Racism Panel Presentation Part 1 (Video)
First 5 Alameda County | July 13, 2020 | Runtime: 1:57:17Shawn Bryant, MA, is the founding director and chief learning officer with Teaching Excellence Center. He is an educational coach, facilitator, and consultant with over 27 years of educational experience in urban, suburban, and rural school district and early learning settings. This informative and instructive webinar will include a panel of equity and anti-racist professionals: Tarah Fleming will present Equity Literacy, Allied Behavior, and Centering Anti-Racism in Our Lives; Zelica Rodriguez-Deams will present Equity Lens vs Equity Mirror - Creating Authentic Community Engagement; and Patricia Nunley will present Helping Children Through A-Up African Ubuntu Pedagogy: Equitable Practices and Interactions.
Download materials for Addressing Elephants in the Room, Part 1 .
Addressing Elephants in the Room: Equity and Racism Panel Presentation Part 2 (Video)
First 5 Alameda County | July 20, 2020 | Runtime: 2:04:43In the wake of current national events and public statements being released by thousands of schools, businesses, and industry leaders, communities need more. This engaging online presentation will provide thoughtful action that addresses the pervasive racism that continues to kill the spirit of children and families. This session will include: Nnenna Odim presenting Early Learning Environments as AntiRacist Spaces for Black Children; G. Reyes presenting These Are the Breaks: BRAVERY as Liberatory Critical Race Pedagogy.
Download materials for Addressing Elephants in the Room, Part 2 .
Advancing Racial and Ethnic Equity in Head Start Four Part Webinar Series
Head Start | September 25, 2020The Advancing Racial and Ethnic Equity in Head Start Webinar Series promotes anti-bias and anti-racism strategies Head Start and Early Head Start programs can use in their practices, services, and systems. It builds upon foundations in the Multicultural Principles for Early Childhood Leaders and the Head Start Program Performance Standards . It also complements Head Start's history of anti-racism in action. Watch the webinars to reflect on individual perspectives and recommit to building program environments that communicate genuine care, value, and respect for all children, families, and staff.
Topics for the four-part series include:
- Exploring terminology and engaging in challenging conversations about racism
- Discussing children's understanding of race and identity development
- Developing anti-bias teaching practices
- Examining principles and policies for human resources systems that honor diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Exploring intersections of health and racial equity to support the wellness of children, families, and staff
Understanding Implicit Bias and Its Role in Early Learning Environments (Webinar)
Division for Early Childhood (DEC) | June 6, 2018 |Description: Racial inequities have long been present in our educational system. Recently, there has been a growing emphasis on the role of implicit bias in how programs discipline children, implement classroom practices, and establish teacher-child relationships. This session aims to support early childhood professionals in reducing implicit biases and using culturally responsive practices. Specifically, the session will focus on (1) identifying barriers to equity in early childhood environments for children of color (L7; E1); (2) defining implicit bias and its role in perpetuating inequitable practices (L7); (3) describing strategies for identifying and overcoming implicit bias (INS6); and (4) providing specific culturally responsive practices that can be used in early learning environments to promote equitable outcomes for children from culturally diverse backgrounds (E1; INS2; INS6). This session will actively engage participants in learning self-reflection and debiasing strategies, and how to use culturally responsive practices.
After taking part in this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify barriers to equity in early education, specifically related to the disproportionate number of Black children who are suspended or expelled from programs.
- Have a basic understanding of implicit bias and its role in early childhood education.
- Describe specific strategies for identifying and overcoming implicit biases.
- Describe the components of a culturally responsive teaching practices, including an emphasis on family involvement, how to view child development through a culturally responsive lens, and specific culturally responsive strategies designed to prevent challenging behaviors within early learning environments.
Creating Anti-Racist Early Childhood Spaces (Webinar)
National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations | June 12, 2020Now, more than ever it is important to address issues of race and bias in early childhood settings. Children notice race at a very early age and can begin to categorize people according to skin color. This webinar presents strategies for creating an anti-racist environment to promote the development of healthy racial identities.
Equity in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (Webinar Series)
The Center of Excellence | August 2020The Center of Excellence, in partnership with the Children's Equity Project, concluded its four part equity series last month with its final webinar, entitled "Culture, Identity, History as Sources of Strength and Resilience for Latino Children and Families".
The purpose of the Equity in IECMHC Webinar Series is to promote equity through IECMHC by building awareness of the impact of institutional racism and other forms of bias on the experiences of children and families from marginalized communities and identifying policies and strengthening culturally responsive practices that reduce disparities and improve child outcomes. The first webinar, presented in April, explored the historical and societal institution of racism and other forms of bias on the early care and education experiences of children and families from marginalized communities, and identified ways to address equity, bias, and disparities through an IECMHC framework.
Available in English and Spanish.
Videos
From Surviving to Thriving: Creating a Way Forward in Challenging Times (Video)
The COVID-19 pandemic has called all early childhood educators to muster our courage and strength like never before. Exchange Press, in collaboration with Hinge Early Education Brokers and Video Active Productions, has created this free video series. Each video has inspiration, support, and practical advice from experts to help you navigate the rough waters of this crisis. Video #8 How to Address Inequities in Early Childhood Education is a 28 minute video that features Walter Gilliam and other experts and includes the history and personal experiences of the experts.
Vital Conversations with Young Children About Race (Video)
National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations | June 19, 2020 | Runtime: 28:38In this two-part conversation, Dr. Phil Strain and Dr. Rosemarie Allen tackle some challenging topics and have a frank and important discussion about equity, black lives, and racism. They invite you to listen as they discuss the impact of racism on black children and their families, how to talk to children and families about race, what does it mean to be anti-racist early educator, and the importance of the Pyramid Model practices in efforts to be anti-racist.
2. Multi-media Resources For Families and Care Providers
Multi-media Resources For Families and Care Providers
The resources presented here are to be enjoyed by children, families and care providers. The intent of these resources is to provide starting points for families and care providers to have discussions about identity and diversity. These videos and books provide an opportunity for children to become acquainted with other children and adults who may be similar or different from them. Hopefully, they will learn about themselves and others. They offer a bit of inspiration for adults and starting points for discussion between kids with caring adults.
Why Talk About Racism? (From the Power of We: Sesame Street PBS Kids Video)
“Unfortunately, most of us can show bias or racial prejudice sometimes, but racism is more than that. It is a system of advantages and privilege based on race. Racism is learned. Talking about racism helps to answer children’s often hard questions about race and unfair treatment of people based on the color of their skin. It can help us all learn what we can do to make our diverse world equitable and fair for all. The Power of We celebrates every child’s unique identity and sense of belonging to a caring community and inclusive world.”
The Power of We (Video)
Sesame Street, PBS KidsThe Power of We: A Sesame Street Special centers on four friends: Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Gabrielle, and Gabrielle’s older cousin, Tamir. With other Sesame Street neighbors and celebrity guests, the friends explore their own identities and skin and fur colors and come to understand what it means to be color-proud—to have pride in your own culture, identity, and race. In age-appropriate ways, the friends learn what each of us can do to stand up to racism for ourselves and one another through one powerful little word: we.
- The Power of We: Watch and Play Together (online guide for families)
- The Power of We: Discussion Guide and Activities (PDF)
Four Children’s Books About Empathy That Shows That Everyone Matters
Think Inclusive | May 29, 2020“Unfortunately, children often experience a lack of empathy for their differences, both among their peers and among the adults in their lives. Empathy is a learned skill; it can, and should, be taught. These four children’s books about empathy are excellent ways to introduce empathy skills and an appreciation for everyone’s differences.”
My favorite of the recommendations is actually a set of three board books that feature gorgeous photographs of inclusive families and children of all types and abilities. “The Families book portrays LGBTQ+ families, grandparents, and families of many races. Hair celebrates all the various shapes and places and ways hair can be. On-the-Go, pictured here, is a powerful visual celebration of all the ways our bodies can move, and all the different apparatuses that can get us there. On-the-Go can also be paired with this diverse abilities figure set to extend the visual normalization of disability through play.
At only 14 pages each, and just the right size for tiny hands, these books are great for toddlers and preschool classrooms. Teaching acceptance and empathy can begin at any age, and the best way to begin for babies and toddlers is through exposure.
“A Kids Book About” Publishing Company
“Meet A Kids Book About, a new kind of publishing company. Our mission is to help kids and their grownups have honest conversations by making books about challenging, empowering, and important topics told by diverse authors who know that topic first-hand.”
Several of the books from this publishing company were chosen to be on “Oprah’s Favorite Things for 2020” and are labeled as such. The books in this collection are meant to be a starting point for discussion about all kinds of important topics like empathy, gratitude, change, depression, bullying and many more. Links to videos of two of the books, read by their authors, are below. The books are well written with simple but important messages that will ring true for kids and adults.
A Kids Book About Belonging (Video)
Kevin Carroll | Dec. 2, 2019 | Runtime: 3:38Powerful Book about how to love who you are.
“This is a book about belonging. It tackles what it’s like when you feel like you belong to a group or family or team and what it’s like when you don’t. It addresses what it feels like when you don’t fit in, or when others don’t want you around. This book teaches kids how to belong to themselves and how that helps them belong anywhere.”
A Kids’s Book About Racism (Video)
Jelani Memory | December 2, 2019 | Runtime: 3:38“Yes, this really is a kids book about racism. Inside, you’ll find a clear description of what racism is, how it makes people feel when they experience it, and how to spot it when it happens. This is one conversation that’s never too early to start, and this book was written to be an introduction for kids on the topic.”
Sam shares a little inspiration about what kids can be when they grow up (Video)
November 2020 | Runtime: 2:30You may have seen this video on social media or on network news. Sam’s performance and his alphabet of all of the possible things can be when they grow up is entertaining and inspiring! Camille Catlett of Faculty Finds supported by EduAlliance, challenges you as a teacher or a parent to find ways to use this video as a starting point for conversations and activities with kids.
"What might it be like to: …"
- "Have a conversation with children about each of the professions mentioned?"
- "Take each letter of the alphabet and consider other careers that also start with that letter?"
- "Take any of the careers and spend a day talking about it? For example, “H” is for hospital administrator. What is a hospital administrator? Where does she/he work? What do they do? Who are their colleagues? Or just enjoy the flow and then have a conversation with children to learn if they know any other raps or songs about jobs."
I Am Every Good Thing
National Public Radio (NPR) | October 24, 2020“The kids in I Am Every Good Thing are compared to the best things: moonbeams on brand new snow, the center of a cinnamon roll, a perfect paper airplane that glides for blocks.
When Derrick Barnes first started writing children's books 15 years ago, he didn't see Black kids — and Black boys in particular — being depicted in this way.
"Whenever you saw a black male character in children's books, he was either playing basketball, he was a runaway slave, or just visually looking very docile or assimilating," Barnes says.
Barnes has four sons of his own and he wrote his new book to be empowering and affirming — two bounces and a front flip off the diving board on a Saturday morning affirming. "I compare our sons to things that are universally good ... to show America that our boys have just as much value as your sons," he says.”
Therapist Starts Bedtime Story Series Read by Black Men Featuring Books With Black Children
“Every Wednesday night at 7 p.m., children are tuning in to a new online series called “Night Night” where African American men read bedtime stories featuring children of color.”
“The series is the brain child of Long Beach family therapist Brad Scott.
While Brad reads, his dad plays relaxing jazz guitar in the background so kids can settle in for story time. Scott says as a kid, he fell in love with books after attending readings at the Long Beach public library.”
"How important it was for me to have Black men read to me, even though there was only a few times that Black men showed up to read, it was just important to see them be silly and engage with us as kids," he said.
“Night, Night” readings on You Tube give you an opportunity to experience the bedtime stories read lovingly and thoughtfully by black men. You’ll appreciate the positive impact the readings may have on any child.
Here are a sample:
- Tamar from Hamilton an American Musical reads: "The Word Collector" by Peter H. Reynolds
- Gary D. Marshall... an actor, director, and educator reads: "Look Up" Written by Nathan Bryon, Illustrated by Dapo Adeola
- Keith Holmes reads: Summer Jackson ⭐️Grown Up⭐️ Written by Teresa E. Harris Illustrated by AG Ford
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Diversifying Your Classroom Book Collections? Avoid these 7 Pitfalls
Mind/Shift | December 3, 2020”Building a classroom library that offers “windows, mirrors and sliding glass doors ” to all children is more than a numbers game. It requires thoughtful curation of who is represented and how.”… This article describes seven pitfalls to avoid when deciding what to leave in and out, accompanied by more than 50 title recommendations based on conversations in this piece to help kickstart the journey. Included are picture books and books for middle grades and young adults.
3. Additional Resources From Other Areas on the MAP Website
The MAP Team has combed through past resources for any related to Equity, Anti-Bias or Anti-Racism. You'll find these resources collected here.
Direct questions or comments about this newsletter to map@wested.org