"Poverty Is Two Coins": Preschoolers Explore Global Social Justice Issues Through Children's Literature and Art

• In Event: 16.057 - Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: 16.057-6 - Critical Education and the Intersections of Class and Disability

Abstract

The purpose of this comparative education study is to identify how young children explore issues related to global social justice in U.S. early childhood education contexts compared to previously conducted research on the same topic in Ireland. Participants include teachers and children from two preschool sites: a university child development center, and a preschool located in a diverse urban setting. An auxiliary purpose is to identify teaching strategies that promote student engagement with global social justice issues through literacy and art activities. Preliminary results indicate that while children did demonstrate empathy and understanding of poverty, wants and needs, stereotypical attitudes regarding Africa, poverty and homelessness were also evident

Authors

• Judith M Dunkerly-Bean, Old Dominion University

• Thomas W. Bean, Old Dominion University

• Kristine E. Sunday, Old Dominion University

• Raleta Chanel Summers, Old Dominion University

• Joy Phelps