We Are the Change We Seek: Advancing Racial Justice in Early Care and Education

by Iheoma U. Iruka, Tonia R Durden, Kerry-Ann Escayg

This timely book will help early care and education teachers, leaders, administrators, coaches, and staff deliver on the promise of high-quality education for all children. The authors provide inspiration, practical tools, and resources through the antibias, antiracist, culturally responsive practices framework (ABAR CRP). This teacher-friendly text shows how to engage in self-inquiry and evaluate current classroom practices while embedding new ones that advance the learning and well-being of children, especially those from minoritized and poor communities. Readers will find tools and assessments to support the implementation of culturally grounded practices that will improve outcomes for diverse children in early childhood settings and systems. This book connects history to current events, supports self-inquiry, encourages a shift in mindset and, most importantly, offers guidance for creating affirming and joyful spaces for young children to learn.

Book

“Design an Activity for Children” section asks teachers to create a classroom activity incorporating the information they have learned.
“Discussions About Real-World Dilemmas” presents a problem and asks readers to discuss how they would resolve it. “Exercises That Promote Critical Reflection” activities that encourages teachers to think about how they are a product of the beliefs, values, and social-political history of their cultural group. “What Would You Do” reflective questions that help teachers to problem-solve how they might react during difficult situations.

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2023

Reviews

[Amy Alt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redefining “high-quality” early childhood education… the authors offer research, tools, and reflection to help us to think critically about our own practices while considering who holds the power in defining benchmarks and the consequences this holds.

[Amy Alt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redefining “high-quality” early childhood education… the authors offer research, tools, and reflection to help us think critically about our own practices. The reader is encouraged to consider who holds the power in defining benchmarks and the consequences this has and for whom.