Anti-Bias Curriculum: Tools for Empowering Young Children

by Louise Derman-Sparks

Anti-Bias Tools for Empowering Young Children (NAEYC, No. 242) [Jan 01, 1989] Derman-Sparks, Louise and The A.B.C. Task Force

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Race

149 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Kelly]

The work of Derman-Sparks and the ABC Task Force is still HIGHLY relevant 20 years after publication. That the book is now out of print is a tragedy. At the time of their original publication, they were groundbreaking, and even today their work is considered progressive and thus often controversial, especially to the many who don't see or understand the need for change in how social inequalities are reascribed and supported in education.

I have only two qualms with the text:
First, all the research and curriculum resources are OLD and generally outdated. While all citations were current at the time of original publication, they are now too old to be sited in contemporary research. However, the text offers a rich ancestry of progressive educational research and reform.

Second, I've got some issues with Chapter 6: Learning About Gender Identity. While the authors are intent on freeing children from the constraints of stereotypical gender roles and developing gender equality, which is great, much has changed in what we know about sex, sexuality, and gender identity in the the past 20 years. For those who view gender as a social construction and gender identity as fluid, numerous aspects of the chapter won't fly. In addition, the reality of intersex children is completely ignored, perpetuating the assumption (per usual) that there are only two ways bodies 'can be,' which is (of course) divided along gender lines. In most ways, the chapter is still extremely relevant and useful for good work with children, but some changes are needed. (The works of Sharon Preves and Riki Wilchins come to mind as helpful resources.)

Overall, though, "Anti-Bias Curriculum: Tools for Empowering Young Children: is a PHENOMENAL book that is still vitally relevant for thinking about and engaging in work with children and the pursuit of a society free of bias and discrimination.

[Peace Teachpeacenow]

This book published by the NAEYC is the bible for addressing bias in preschool. Many of the activities can easily be adapted to older children. Topics covered include: Identity and Attitudes | Selecting Anti-Bias Materials | Learning about Racial Differences, Disabilities, Gender, and Culture | Resisting Stereotyping |Activism | Anti-Bias Holidays| Working with Parents

[Linda]

Required textbook reading. Maybe I didn't have the tolerance for it because I just finished up an entire semester's worth of anti-bias in my Psych of Prejudice class. Either way, I couldn't get through three pages at a time without falling asleep, no matter how awake and alert I was. Some suggestions and activities are totally worth checking into, but overall I found the book to be redundant.

[Callie]

Another textbook. Great for learning how to plan lessons for children that isn't biased. Explains how to teach children to accept everyone for who they are, and to learn more about other cultures than what they are usually exposed to.

[Abby]

My favorite takeaway was the practice of sharing narratives with persona dolls, reinforcing with empirical examples the power of story in creating empathy and connection. Definitely worth a reread! I'd be curious to know how to best address cisgender/transgender for this age as well.

[Shannon]

This is a great book-- but I am actually reading the much improved second edition.

[Sarah]

I found out there is a new version of this, so I'm setting it aside for the new, trans-inclusive edition.

[Sarah]

a must read for those who work with young children.

[Amber]

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