1st Edition
Let’s Talk About Race in the Early Years
We all have biases and our biases, whether conscious or not, can prevent us from teaching and supporting children equitably. We cannot turn a blind eye to this, no matter how uncomfortable it may feel to tackle the difficult questions.
This groundbreaking book is a must-read for all early years professionals working with babies, toddlers, young children, and their families. Its practical and accessible guidance provides the tools and techniques you need to identify and confront discriminatory practices, with strategies to break down barriers and tackle these complicated issues sensitively and constructively. Reflective questions facilitate active engagement with a wealth of case studies and encourage you to evaluate your own practice. Each chapter builds your confidence and ability to create dynamic and anti-racist learning environments that embrace and celebrate difference and will ensure your setting fosters a positive sense of identity and belonging.
Let’s Talk About Race in the Early Years gives practitioners the language and tools they need to create an environment where all children can shine and is essential reading for all early years professionals.
Contents
Contributors
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Unravelling Bias
Chapter 3: The Voice of the Child
Chapter 4: Why Race and Representation Matters
Chapter 5: Developing an Inclusive Learning Environment
Chapter 6: The Truth about the Music we Teach
Chapter 7: Breaking the Last Taboo: Talking About Race
Chapter 8: Our Hope for a Brighter Future
Index
Biography
Stella Louis is a multi-award-winning freelance early years consultant, trainer and author, working with all forms of early years settings, as well as parents, government departments and charities.
Hannah Betteridge is an experienced policy professional and public servant. In both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, Hannah primarily focused on uncovering the impact of race, stereotypes, and bias on outcomes for individuals from Black and Asian backgrounds in Britain.
"Every early years setting needs a copy of this book. Louis and Betteridge, two generations of the same family, share their combined research, knowledge and lived experiences generously to challenge and support practitioners and families to develop more equitable practice for young children of colour. The balance of lived examples from practice, current research data and Black contributors make this a unique book. Use this book for personal reflection, in your training or book group to guide your discussions and to effect change. We can all, ‘Do something. Do more. Do better.’" - Jane Whinnett MBE, Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor, Froebel in Childhood Practice, University of Edinburgh
"I humbly recommend this book to all who want to move equality and inclusive practice forward by talking about race and encouraging all members of early years communities – children, families - to value diversity and challenge bias. This book is challenging and practical; it addresses the needs of educators, wherever they are on their personal and professional journey to break the cycle of discrimination in their settings. The authors shine a light on ways to ‘identify and confront discriminatory and prejudicial practice’ and at the same time they challenge readers to examine their own thinking and practice. It is - in parts - a necessarily difficult read; there is nothing easy or comfortable about racism. It is also an enabling book; offering readers tools to tackle bias, and to create honest, dynamic and anti-racist environments where all children – and their families – thrive. In the hands of committed educators, this book will make a difference." - Professor Dame Cathy Nutbrown, The School Education Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Sheffield
"This book challenges early childhood educators to think deeply about personal and institutional racism and to act decisively against it. It may be difficult to raise and discuss the inequities of racial prejudice in early years settings. Yet in our increasingly diverse and also increasingly polarised societies, it is crucial that early childhood educators know how to recognise, discuss and counter biases and racism in themselves, and others, including young children. The authors explain why this is so, inviting readers to join them as they share their clear perspective about race, anti-racism and ways to work towards equity and genuine inclusion. Using personal experiences and case studies, research based understandings and practical exercises, they guide the reader through a thought provoking and valuable process." - Carole Bloch, Extraordinary Professor, Language Education, University of the Western Cape
"Let’s Talk About Race in the Early Years is exactly what we need right now [...]. Stella and Hannah weave in best practice throughout the book ensuring that observation of children is key, as well as developing relationships with families and including music, song and rhyme as an example of ensuring cultural relevance and providing a window into new spaces to explore [...]. The authors present clear definitions and explanations with real life and relatable case studies to ensure that all the messages make sense and can be applied to the reader's own practice. The book highlights the challenges that we need to overcome to unpick the nuance that we learn from the world and make conscious effort to be better citizens, as well as encouraging and teaching children the same." - Rachna Joshi, Freelance Writer and Early Childhood Consultant
