Overview

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.

Full Product Details

9781032169606

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""Let’s Talk About Race in the Early Years is exactly what we need right now. Growing up in England in the 90s, I wish my teachers had the knowledge and awareness to truly understand and see me in the way that the authors have discussed throughout this book. I had a struggle with the duality of my own heritage and culture as well as trying to ‘fit in’ with the white dominant culture I was living in. I was resisting my culture and this led to me wishing for whiteness as a young child. Only in my 20s as I began to work with children did I finally begin to feel at ease and eventually, through learning and unlearning of messages in society, I finally felt proud of my heritage and culture. My journey took a lot of work and self-reflection, and I believe that this book will provide those that work with children the tools to be able to centre children and their needs, support them in discovering their own identity, and provide them with a sense of belonging. 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. There is so much depth with crucial moments for reflection. 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 of the world, as well as encouraging and teaching children the same. 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. They pose questions for reflection that force educators to consider their own position such as: How can we ensure the safety and learning experiences for our children if the practitioners, leaders and staff in the setting continue to perpetuate prejudice? How are our schools safe places to learn? How can the 'conditions be right' for all children to learn? We must do more for all children and families that are marginalised by our society due to prejudice against them. This book means hard work, but don’t shy away from it - this work needs to be done by every educator all over the country to tackle the injustice that is within our society."" - Rachna Joshi, freelance writer and consultant for early childhood education organisations"

"""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"

"""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"

Author Information

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.

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