Description
Book SynopsisThis book brings together multiple voices from a range of thought leaders in early childhood education to describe both how structural inequities deeply embedded in US society have a negative impact on children’s development and learning and how educators who have a strong understanding of how children's development and learning takes place within a cultural context are equipped to create effective and affirming environments, instructional activities, and assessments. Research indicates that children benefit from highly qualified, reflective teachers who provide developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant, and linguistically responsive experiences and interactions. The book includes recommendations for ways the broader early childhood system, institutions of higher education, and policy can support early childhood educators in meeting their professional and ethical responsibilities to our most vulnerable populations. Also includes concrete examples and approaches classroom teachers can implement to address equity as they plan lessons, select materials, and support children and families. The book expands on key points of NAEYC’s
Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education position statement (2019) so that educators, policymakers, and other key stakeholders are knowledgeable, skilled, and equipped to transform the lives of children and their families.
Trade ReviewNAEYC’s position statement on advancing equity is not just words on paper, it is the heart and soul of who we are as people who care for all children. In this book, editors Iliana Alanís, Iheoma Iruka, and Susan Friedman have gathered stories and insights from dozens of early childhood education professionals, leading us forward into a beloved community framed in social justice. -- Josh Thompson * Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education *
This text is comprehensive in its approach to addressing equity and diversity in our field. The diverse group of contributors offers research-based expertise centering a variety of social identities. Regardless of role, this book provides useful information for improving practice. -- Toni Sturdivant * Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction *
In a time when issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access are at the forefront in education, this volume offers timely and critical recommendations for policy and practice. The coeditors bring together a stellar group of experts in the field that delineate how we can enact equitable and inclusive early childhood education founded on NAEYC’s “Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education” position statement and its recommendations. A must-read for all early childhood educators. -- Sonia W. Soltero * Professor and Chair, Department of Leadership, Language, and Curriculum *
This book confronts us with the inequities present in early childhood education. It compels us not to remain silent, compliant, or complicit, but rather to take anti-racist actions at every level—classroom, program, teacher preparation, and policy. -- Cristina Gillanders * Associate Professor *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Contributor List NAEYC’s “Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education” Position Statement Introduction Iliana Alanís, Iheoma U. Iruka, and Susan Friedman Part 1: Reflections on Equity Section 1: Reflections on Ourselves Chapter 1: Looking Inward: Reflections from Early Education Professionals on Their Journey to Reduce Bias and Racism Iheoma U. Iruka, with Anthony Broughton, Michael Gonzalez, Jillian Herink, Steven Hicks, Tamara Johnson, Jen Neitzel, Karen Nemeth, Nicol Russell, and Shannon Wanless Section 2: Reflections on Our Profession Chapter 2: Why History? Educating the Early Childhood Workforce for Equity Barbara T. Bowman Chapter 3: Quality Includes Removing Bias from Early Childhood Education Environments Felicia L. DeHaney, Carla Thompson Payton, and Alandra Washington Chapter 4: Being an Equity Leader John Nimmo, Debbie LeeKeenan, and Louise Derman-Sparks Chapter 5: Recognizing Shortcomings of a Traditional Professional Knowledge Base Tonia R. Durden and Stephanie M. Curenton Part 2: Responsive Pedagogical Practices Chapter 6: Creating Caring Communities in Early Childhood Contexts Garnett S. Booker III Chapter 7: Focusing on What Really Counts: How Noticing and Appreciating Simple, Ordinary Moments in Early Childhood Care and Education Can Enrich Human Relationships and Promote Professional Equity Junlei Li and Dana Winters Chapter 8: Developing the Three Cs of Reciprocity Zeynep Isik-Ercan Chapter 9: What About the Children? Teachers Cultivating and Nurturing the Voice and Agency of Young Children Brian L. Wright Chapter 10: Equity, Diversity, and Child Development: Implications for Practice Iliana Reyes, Mimi Gray, and Teresa Acevedo Chapter 11: Equitable Learning Opportunities for Young Bilingual Children: Strategies to Promote Oral Language Development Dina C. Castro and Ximena Franco Chapter 12: Creating High-Quality STEM Experiences for All Young Learners: What Do Teachers of Young Children Need to Know? Jie-Qi Chen Chapter 13: Developing Meaningful and Relevant Writing with K–3 Dual Language Learner Students Daniel R. Meier Chapter 14: Providing Responsive Supports to Dual Language Learners with Disabilities Lillian Durán Chapter 15: Making Thinking, Learning, and Development Visible and Inclusive Through Authentic Assessment Hilary Seitz Chapter 16: Learning Stories: Observation, Reflection, and Narrative in Early Childhood Education Isauro M. Escamilla Part 3: Moving Forward as a Profession Chapter 17: The Work: Promoting Equity and Justice in Early Childhood Jen Neitzel Chapter 18: Agency and Power in Young Children’s Lives: Five Ways to Advocate for Social Justice as an Early Childhood Educator Jennifer Keys Adair and Shubhi Sachdeva Chapter 19: Creating Anti-Racist Early Childhood Spaces Rosemarie Allen, Dorothy L. Shapland, Jen Neitzel, and Iheoma U. Iruka Chapter 20: Early Childhood Teacher Educators’ Critical Role: Preparing Culturally Efficacious Early Childhood Teachers Belinda Bustos Flores, Socorro Herrera, and Janelle Beth Flores Appendix: A Note on Terminology Used in this Book About the Editors Index
