Race, Culture, Class, and Gender in Early Childhood Contexts: From Research to Policy and Practice

• In Event: Roundtable Session 26

Session Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

In this interactive panel, presenters discuss papers highlighting contrasting methodological and theoretical approaches to exploring diversity in early child care contexts. Although the issues of race, culture, class, and gender equity have been a focus of research for decades (e.g. see Howes, 2010), there are still vast discrepancies in care settings across racial, cultural, socio-economic, and gender groups (e.g., Bowman, Donovan, & Burns, 2000). Qualitative and quantitative research addressing this discrepancy will be discussed, with a focus on offering approaches to closing the gap between research and practice. Drawing from studies that have foregrounded perspectives of diverse parents and children, this session will engage the audience in a discussion of critical issues and bridging the research-practice gap.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Early Education and Child Development

Chair

• Beth Blue Swadener, Arizona State University

Papers

• Bridging Research Traditions About Stereotyping and Prejudice in Young Children and Antibias Practices - Flora Farago, Arizona State University

• Learning From Latino Families: Child Care and Early Education Perspectives - Elizabeth J. Cahill, New Mexico State University; Beth Blue Swadener, Arizona State University

• Cultural Congruency Between Home and Head Start Environments: Its Relation to Childhood Outcomes - Eva Marie Shivers, Indigo Cultural Center, Inc.; Kay Sanders, Whittier College

• Keeping the Television out of the Classroom: Teachers as Regulators of Working-Class Media Knowledge - Allison Sterling Henward, University of Hawaii at Manoa