Evaluation of Multicultural Literature That Represents Religious Diversity for an Early Childhood Classroom

• In Event: 51.065 - Cultivating Culturally Responsive Schools and Teaching

Abstract

Our research envisions social justice teaching as an understanding that teachers can transform practice and pedagogy to challenge inequities and create a space for affirming students’ diverse religious backgrounds. The purpose of our study was twofold: 1) to develop a rubric for evaluation of multicultural literature, and 2) to explore and select multicultural literature that represents religious diversity and can be used in early childhood classrooms. Our initial search focused on major religions in the United States (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Wicca), yielding 534 books. We obtained 346, only 41 met the criteria, and we recommend this small sample that we believe fosters understanding and respect for diverse religious and cultural groups.

Authors

• Susan V. Bennett, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg

• AnnMarie Alberton Gunn, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg

• Kaya van Beynen, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg

• Mary Lou I. Morton, Walden University