By DaBy Dana McCabe, Early Childhoood Program Coordinator
In early October, many Escuela staff members participated in a one-day workshop – Introduction to Anti-Bias, Anti-Racism Education, conducted by Crossroads Antiracism Organizing & Training. They are a non-profit dedicated to dismantling racism and promoting anti-bias education.
We were introduced to four education goals:
- Strong, confident, self and group identity
- To value differences
- Critical thinking
- Stand up against injustice
WOW!
We learned the ages and stages of the development of racial/cultural identity and attitudes – which, unbelievably begin at birth! The considerations for implementing anti-bias/anti-racism education is acknowledging that it begins with self-reflection and being open to do the work it takes to understand how one might be perpetuating stereotypes in one’s environment/classroom.
The take away for many was teaching tools for classrooms regarding how to talk about similarities and differences within families, neighborhoods, and the wider community, without shaming children when they express interest in differences they see.
We received many resources to further our understanding, beginning with books that are chosen with a critical eye.
Some things that have already been implemented are finding books for the classrooms about the different foods people eat, where and how people live, or how babies are carried. This has sparked discussion about what are favorite foods, what type of homes our different families live in, and what makes a family.
In one classroom, questions arose about homelessness, prompting students to discuss how people live (and find shelter) in various ways – this fits perfectly with the discussion many Montessori guides have with children about the fundamental needs of humans, and how differently these needs are met.
One suggestion from the facilitators was designed to stimulate discussion about differences by asking families to provide family photos and for children to make associations about similarities and differences in family configurations with regard to skin, hair and eye color, abilities and genders.
We look forward to continuing the thoughtful discussions and the anti-bias, anti-racism work we have begun.
Read more about Talking to Your Kids About Identity
