Representation in Widely Used Comprehensive Preschool Curricula Materials

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Social and Cultural Contexts in Education (Table 12)

Abstract

In this study, we examine characters portrayed in read-aloud books from the five most-used comprehensive preschool curricula in the United States: Core Knowledge, Creative Curriculum, Frog Street, High Scope, and Connect4Learning. Our goal was to understand the characters portrayed in these stories and who might find themselves represented in these texts. Specifically, we were interested in (a) the types of characters in read-aloud books, and (b) how these stories portray gender, race, and disability. To answer our questions, we conducted a content analysis of 418 characters in 302 read-aloud books included in these curricula. Our findings suggest the need for more representation of characters with physical disabilities as well as more diverse racial and gender representation.

Authors

• Courtney O'Grady, University of Alabama

• Lori Bruner, University at Albany - SUNY

• Alison Hooper, University of Alabama