Toward Antiracist Practices and Possibilities in Early Childhood Contexts

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This panel brings together an intergenerational group of scholars who have researched and actively worked against racism in early childhood and community contexts. Each contributor is deeply committed to affirming BIPOC children and ending deficit-based discourse and practices that perpetuate anti-Blackness and pathologize children of color.. The panelists share recent research with children, teachers, and families focused on anti-racist and decolonizing practices. Papers unpack and critically discuss the attitudes and practices of early educators, coaching strategies and nuanced approaches to emotions of Black boys, childhood experiences, and anti-racist pedagogy, including the contributions of Black feminist thought and decolonial theories to lens this research. The panelists explore anti-racist practices both in the Global West and Global South early childhood contexts.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Critical Perspectives on Early Childhood Education

Chair

• Beth Blue Swadener, Arizona State University

Papers

• From Anti-Bias to Antiracist: Challenges and Possibilities for Early Childhood Education - Flora Farago, Stephen F. Austin State University; Kerry-Ann Escayg, University of Nebraska - Omaha; Darcy Heath

• Inspiring Antiracist Montessori Early Childhood Education Through Black Feminisms - Iana Phillips, University of North Texas; Michelle Salazar Perez, University of North Texas

• Promoting Racial Justice With Emotion and Culturally Focused Practices in Early Childhood Classrooms - Evandra Catherine, Arizona State University; Beth Blue Swadener, Arizona State University

• Decolonizing Childhood in the Global South: Narratives of Childhood in South Africa - Bekisizwe S. Ndimande, University of Texas - San Antonio

Discussant

• Mara Sapon-Shevin, Syracuse University