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Showing children that we see and value all aspects of them鈥攊ncluding attributes related to race and culture鈥攊s a critical step in helping them feel welcome and connected to their teachers and peers. In the preschool classroom in the vignette, Yasmin sees others engaging happily in a familiar routine that is part of her family life. When her teacher intentionally participates in this play and follows up with a book about it, she is sending the message to Yasmin and her peers that this classroom is a place where all children鈥攏o matter their culture or ethnicity鈥攃an feel comfortable being themselves. Yasmin not only expresses aspects of her racial and cultural identity through her play, but she also takes pride in sharing them with others. Moments like this help convey to Yasmin that she is accepted in this classroom and can safely build a strong relationship with her teacher. This feeling of trust is crucial because it sets the stage for Yasmin to engage freely in exploration and learning.

Addressing race in early education classrooms

Early childhood educators are well versed in the importance of building relationships with children of diverse backgrounds, but many try to do so using a color-blind approach鈥攖hat is, they do not directly talk about race or race-related experiences (Husband 2012). This approach, although not intended to be harmful, may send the negative message to children of color that their teachers do not recognize or feel comfortable acknowledging a salient and influential part of their identity: their race. Researchers and practitioners are still figuring out how best to address race so young children can develop their own positive racial identity, build relationships across races, and recognize and stand up to race-related injustices. There are a number of ways early childhood educators can approach race in the classroom. We refer to these practices as race-related teaching practices (RRTPs). In this article we begin to address the need for these practices by offering categories for thinking about RRTPs and suggesting ways teachers can use children鈥檚 literature to welcome related conversations.

Children鈥檚 literature offers an engaging vehicle for generating these conversations, as depicted in the opening vignette. We see these discussions about race in relation to children鈥檚 books as part of a larger effort to revise conceptualization of high-quality early childhood education to include teaching practices that intentionally address race. As Ladson-Billings (1995) stated, addressing race in our teaching practices 鈥渃hallenge[s] us to reconsider what we mean by 鈥榞ood鈥� teaching鈥� (163).

Children see race, and so should we

Children鈥檚 ideas about their own race and others鈥� races are forming in early childhood, regardless of whether the topic of race is directly addressed, completely ignored, or actively suppressed in their classrooms (Derman-Sparks & Edwards 2010). Each approach sends a message, intentional or not, about how children should think about and understand racial differences at a time in their lives when they are beginning to notice and respond to race. Children as young as 3 months are aware of racial differences, and by the time they are preschoolers, they make choices, based on race, about with whom to play and how (Katz & Kofkin 1997; Van Ausdale & Feagin 2001; Hirschfeld 2008; Quintana & McKown 2008). In the absence of intentional teaching, children are left to come to their own conclusions about how to think about their own race and others鈥� races. Research suggests that the common practice of ignoring race in early childhood classrooms is not satisfactory and that educators must take a more active, anti-bias approach to addressing issues of culture and race if they are to enact positive change (Derman-Sparks & Edwards 2010).

In the United States, the majority of early childhood teachers are White (Saluja, Early, & Clifford 2002). Classrooms鈥攁nd the educational materials chosen, like children鈥檚 books鈥攐ften reflect the values and beliefs prevalent in a traditional White ethos. When educators do not notice this and do not attempt to counterbalance the primacy given to White early childhood experiences, they miss opportunities to teach children that all races should be valued. As a result, White children may subconsciously learn that their race holds a privileged status compared to others, and non-White children may learn that their race does not (Clark & Clark 1950; Van Ausdale & Feagin 2001). The good news is that there are opportunities to teach children that we value all cultures and aim to be fair to people of all races. By shifting classroom practices, early childhood educators can positively impact children鈥檚 acceptance of their own race and others鈥� races.

Race-related teaching practices in classrooms

For adults working with young children, RRTPs may include helping children to develop positive racial identity, the ability to build relationships across races, and the awareness of race-related injustices and the inclination to take action to stop them (Durden, Escalante, & Blitch 2015).

We propose thinking about three categories of RRTPs鈥攃olor-blind, color-aware, and social justice approaches. As mentioned earlier, the color-blind approach is a common but ineffective and potentially harmful method in which adults do not directly talk about race with children, yet the absence of an intentional message about race sends a powerful message in itself. Children are left to develop their own understandings about race, and if they ask questions, they may be met with adults declining to talk about race at school.

An improvement on the color-blind approach is a color-aware approach. To be color aware is to intentionally teach children about race and tell them that we see and value their race because it is an important part of who they are. Adults in color-aware classrooms bring up race in direct and positive ways, take advantage of teachable moments, and respond to children鈥檚 race-related questions and interactions with books and activities to advance the conversation.

One step beyond color awareness is a social justice approach to teaching about race. This RRTP is considered ideal because it empowers children to play a role in acting against discrimination. Teachers using this approach to help children learn how to actively recognize and act on race-related injustices. Taking a social justice approach means seeking out teachable moments that specifically have to do with unfairness or discrimination, such as suggesting children write a letter to a company that makes 鈥渇lesh-colored鈥� bandages to let them know that their products do not match all skin tones and to propose that the name or the colors should be changed.

Ultimately, educators can look for opportunities to infuse all aspects of children鈥檚 learning with color awareness and social justice connections. Although addressing all aspects of classroom practice is ideal, teachers who are new to RRTPs may find it easiest to begin with children鈥檚 literature, an accessible medium for early childhood educators.

Racially relevant children鈥檚 literature

Children鈥檚 literature has enormous potential for helping children develop positive racial identity. In 1965, Nancy Larrick wrote passionately about the 鈥渁ll-White world of children鈥檚 books,鈥� noting that the body of children鈥檚 literature overwhelmingly featured characters who were White and that the books were aimed at a White readership. Some 50 years later, children鈥檚 book author Walter Dean Myers (2014) posed a question in the听New York Times:鈥淲here are the people of color in children鈥檚 books?鈥� The question remains a sound one. Many scholars have examined the topic of diversity in children鈥檚 literature, noting that the majority of publications continue to portray a homogeneous, White, middle-class existence as the norm (Horning, Lindgren, & Schleisman 2013; Boyd, Causey, & Galda 2015). These portrayals are not consistent with the lives of many children and their families.

Books can be mirrors in which children see and savor images and representations similar to their own lives and experiences. They can also be windows that enable young readers to gain new cultural perspectives by peering into others鈥� worlds (Bishop 1990; Botelho & Rudman 2009). Teachers and other caring adults can make the most of these mirrors and windows by selecting literature that represents the diverse experiences of children and using it effectively to develop culturally responsive classrooms that promote color awareness and social justice (Paley 1998; Laminack & Wadsworth 2012). (See 鈥淭ips for Selecting Diverse Children鈥檚 Literature.鈥�) Note that although it is important to share, explore, and learn about all cultures and races, in the limited space this article provides, the authors focus on children鈥檚 literature that mainly highlights the African-American experience.

Choosing high-quality, diverse literature

Children need access to books that reflect their own race, culture, experiences, and context. Literature should include representations of different aspects of daily life within a culture, with particular attention given to aspects of setting and racial relevance (Yenika-Agbaw & Napoli 2011). Ezra Jack Keats, for example, was among the first picture book creators to portray a cast of Black characters in an urban setting. More than a half century later, children still enjoy reading听The Snowy Day听(Keats 1962), which follows Peter, a young Black child, as he plays in the snow. The story is one that unites a child鈥檚 sense of excitement with the warmth of family love鈥攁ll situated in an urban setting. Another example is听Tap Tap Boom Boom听(Bluemle 2014), which provides a lyrical look at a rainstorm and the way it plays out in the streets of a diverse city. The rain sends everyone ducking for cover, resulting in chance meetings and the beginning of new relationships, including interracial ones. Readers might also seek poetry grounded in the daily lives of Black children in varied settings, such as听Thanks a Million听by Nikki Grimes (2006),听Brothers & Sisters: Family Poems听by Eloise Greenfield (2009), and听Honey, I Love,听also by Greenfield (2002). (See 鈥淪elected Children鈥檚 Literature With Racially Diverse Characters and Themes,鈥� for more suggestions.)

It is important to look carefully at unique issues of racial relevance. Physical aspects, for example, are addressed in Jabari Asim鈥檚 companion board books听Whose Toes Are Those?听(2006) and听Whose Knees Are These?听(2006). These joyful, rhyming texts celebrate Black and Brown bodies. Likewise,听I Love My Hair听by Natasha Tarpley (2001),听Big Hair, Don鈥檛 Care听by Crystal Swain-Bates (2013), and听Emi鈥檚 Curly, Coily, Cotton Candy Hair听by Tina Olajide (2014) reinforce the beauty of thick, curly hair more typical of Black children.

Using literature as an entry point to discussions about race

Books that provide readers with opportunities to see different aspects of themselves, their communities, and the people they love can serve as material tools that affirm their sense of racial identity (Bishop 1990; Yenika-Agbaw & Napoli 2011). Such books can serve as springboards for teachable moments and meaningful conversations reflecting the teacher鈥檚 color awareness and orientation toward thinking and acting from a social justice perspective. It is important to remember, however, that no book can fully represent a group or a complex issue. Rather, it is helpful to think in terms of text sets, or collections of connected books, that address different perspectives on topics.

Consider the following scenarios鈥攐ne in which a teacher uses a color-aware approach and the other in which a teacher uses a social justice approach.

In this snapshot, Ms. Franklin, using a color-aware approach, reads to the children from high-quality literature that addresses concepts related to racial differences in a positive manner. Second, she encourages them to respond to the text. Finally, she uses the opportunity to extend children鈥檚 consideration of their racial identity by giving them the time, materials, and pedagogical support to extend their learning through an appropriate activity.

Let鈥檚 look at another example of effective use of RRTPs and children鈥檚 literature. Before story time, a first grade teacher has planned ways to help the children think about different aspects of the text, including issues related to race.

Through his question, the teacher has opened up a social justice teaching moment. The children can consider possible reasons why Mr. Baker did not learn to read. Could it have been because he didn鈥檛 finish school? Was he doing other things, like working or helping at home? Could it be that Mr. Baker was not welcomed at school? Did race play a part in this? By introducing important issues that might not be readily apparent, teachers provide children with opportunities to become critical readers who can move beyond the text of a book to read between the lines. They can use a social justice lens to view and discuss sensitive historical and current events.

Introducing RRTPs to colleagues and families

As is the case for any new practice, it is always wise to first stop and reflect on the perspectives of colleagues and other important adults in children鈥檚 lives. This is especially necessary when teaching about race. Many of the strategies described here may not be considered controversial, but some will. It may be useful to speak to other teachers about what they feel is appropriate for the children you serve. If everyone is not on the same page, consider beginning a book study group to talk about the role of RRTPs in early childhood classrooms. In addition, you might engage families by asking if and how they talk about race at home. (鈥淓xamples of How to Use Literature to Discuss Race,鈥� p. 13, may be helpful to families as well as teachers.) Many will be happy to hear that you are starting this conversation at school, but some may have concerns.

As educators begin thinking more about RRTPs, the early childhood field will generate more examples of using materials鈥攃hildren鈥檚 literature, the classroom environment, free play scenarios, outdoor play, and other interactions and experiences鈥攖o bring the subject of race into the classroom. Now is the time to begin this work to ensure that educators are offering children guidance in this important aspect of their development.

Tips for Selecting Diverse Children鈥檚 Literature

• Base your selection on quality.听Books should not just teach a lesson but should have a good story, high-quality text, and engaging illustrations.
• Choose books that help children see themselves.听Include books that mirror different aspects of identity (e.g., race, setting, beliefs) of children in the class, so that they can imagine themselves in the story.
• Choose books that help children expand their understanding of others in this multicultural world.听Include books that introduce children to new people, places, and concepts that they may not yet have encountered.
• Look widely for texts.听Be alert to new titles related to diversity. In addition, the library can be a great source for out of print titles that appeal to children and relate to urban issues and diversity.
• Use text sets.听Expose children to different perspectives. These book collections may be organized by theme or may feature the work of a highly accomplished author or illustrator of color. Great picks for books by Black writers and artists include those by Christopher Myers, Floyd Cooper, Jacqueline Woodson, Ashley Bryan, Jerry Pinkney, Brian Pinkney, and E.B. Lewis.

Selected Children鈥檚 Literature With Racially Diverse Characters and Themes

• Beautiful Moon听(2014), by Tonya Bolden. Illus. by Eric Velasquez.
• Black Cat听(1999), by Christopher Myers.
• Brothers & Sisters: Family Poems听(2008), by Eloise Greenfield. Illus. by Jan Spivey Gilchrist.
• Goggles听(1969),听by Ezra Jack Keats.
• Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems听(2002), by Eloise Greenfield. Illus. by Jan Spivey Gilchrist.
• The Hula-Hoopin鈥� Queen听(2014), by Thelma Lynne Godin. Illus. by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.
• Magic Trash听(2015), by J.H. Shapiro. Illus. by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.
• Subway听(2008), by Anastasia Suen. Illus. by Karen Katz.
• Thanks a Million听(2006), by Nikki Grimes. Illus. by Cozbi A. Cabrera.
• Those Shoes听(2007), by Maribeth Boelts. Illus. by Noah Z. Jones.

Examples of How to Use Children鈥檚 Literature to Discuss Race

Last Stop on Market Street听By Matt de la Pe帽a, illus. by Christian Robinson, 2015

• When CJ and his nana ride the bus home, he wonders why the street where they get off does not seem as beautiful as some of the others.
• Purpose for RRTPs:听Highlights finding beauty in difficult life circumstances. Invites readers to ask questions about how economic limitations can impact specific racial groups.

Happy Like Soccer听By Maribeth Boelts, illus. by Lauren Castillo, 2014

• A young girl from the city loves to play soccer, but her aunt (and guardian) can鈥檛 attend the games due to her work schedule. The girl bravely asks that the game be moved into the city on a day her aunt can attend.听
• Purpose for RRTPs:听Presents a portrait of economic disparities between poorer urban areas and higher income suburbs鈥攁nd their impact on practical social and emotional factors in children鈥檚 lives.

Amazing Grace听By Mary Hoffman, illus. by Caroline Binch, 1991

• When Grace wants to be Peter Pan in a school play, her classmates tell her she can鈥檛 because Peter is not Black and is not a girl.
• Purpose for RRTPs:听Provides a model for ways children can discuss and deal with negative, discouraging, and inaccurate comments about racial limitations.

The Other Side听By Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by E.B. Lewis, 2001

• Set in an era of segregation, two little girls want to become friends despite physical and social barriers.
• Purpose for RRTPs:听Presents a model of interracial friendship during a difficult time. Offers a springboard for considering ways to bridge the real and metaphorical fences that divide people.

鈥淢ore, More, More,鈥�听Said the Baby By Vera B. Williams, 1997

• Three intergenerational vignettes depict the loving rituals of children in racially diverse families.
• Purpose for RRTPs:听Invites children to discuss their family鈥檚 racial composition and describe the ways their family shares love.

Happy in Our Skin听By Fran Manushkin, illus. by Lauren Tobia, 2015

• A lyrical celebration of skin of every color.
• Purpose for RRTPs:听Offers a jumping-off point for children to use positive, descriptive language to describe their own skin color.

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