Navigating Identity: A Critical Literature Review on Young Children's Conceptualizations of Race and Dis/ability

• In Event: 52.083 - Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: 52.083-15 - Dis/Ability Identities

Abstract

While researchers investigate the ways in which young children conceptualize race and disability, identity scholars have explicated the fluid, multidimensional, and situated nature of identity. In this paper, I review and critique methodological techniques used to elicit young children’s conceptualizations of race and dis/ability. I assert that research investigating young children’s conceptualizations of race and dis/ability can recognize the fluid, multidimensional, and situated aspects of identity by taking a cultural-historical and Dis/Ability Critical Race Studies (DisCrit) perspective. To this end, I (a) conceptually frame the paper using cultural-historical theory and DisCrit; (b) review data collection methods from studies investigating young children’s conceptualizations of race and dis/ability; (c) analyze data collection methods; and (d) suggest future directions for data collection tools.

Author

• Margaret R. Beneke, University of Washington - Seattle