Developing inclusive reading materials for children

• In Event: The Equity Initiative: Promising Practices in Inclusive Education

Proposal

Books expand the boundaries of our worlds. Good stories allow us to take a few steps in somebody else’s shoes and expose us to lives that are different from our own while simultaneously revealing the undercurrent of our shared humanity. Books are also a tremendous source of knowledge about all facets of the world we live in—both living and non-living, tangible and abstract. In these ways, a diverse collection of books supports the theme of the 2020 CIES conference by “[redefining] what it means to be human” and helping to “re-situate the human within the relational flow of life where everyone and everything—both human and non-human—are deeply interconnected”.
All children, including those from marginalized groups, should have access to books that serve as mirrors and windows: mirrors that validate their experiences by reflecting their own lives back at them, and windows that expose them to the diversity of the world beyond their own. Book collections for children should be inclusive across multiple dimensions including, but not limited to: gender, disability, physical appearance, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and setting. Books can create lasting impressions, so inclusive materials for children need to avoid tokenism and biased representations of diverse groups.
Drawing on examples from a global collection of more than 2000 original children’s storybook titles developed in 40 languages, this study takes a case study approach to reviewing a global children’s storybook collection through the lens of inclusion. Based on the study, this presentation provides suggestions for best practices in creating inclusive materials for children that represent diverse groups of people in non-stereotypical ways. In particular, we will demonstrate how to include marginalized groups in stories in an empowering way--challenging assumptions, promoting understanding, and celebrating the diversity of humanity and our increasingly interconnected world. Measuring and addressing the gaps in representation that currently exist in children’s book collections is an important component of creating inclusive and equitable learning environments for all which is a target for Sustainable Development Goal 4. To support this endeavor, this presentation will also share insights on how to measure diversity and inclusion in book collections.

Authors

• Titus Kazungu, Room to Read

• Christabel Pinto, Room to Read