The Handbook of Racial Equity in Early Childhood Education

The goal of every early educator is to prepare all students for school success—but for young Black children, entrenched biases and racial inequities have created an achievement gap that must be closed. Transform your practices and work for systemic change with this visionary guidebook, a comprehensive roadmap to promoting racial equity in early childhood education.

The only handbook of its kind that takes a rigorous, in‐depth look at the historical roots of racial bias, this book goes beyond band‐aid approaches to equity and prioritizes real transformation and healing: of adults, communities, programs, systems, and children. Grounded in research but focused on action, this empowering guide offers both deep foundational knowledge and practical classroom strategies that promote better outcomes for Black children and families. Contributions from voices of experience—influential scholars, teachers, and parents—offer authentic perspectives on the impact of racism and the importance of anti‐racist practices.

A must for educators, administrators, and policymakers working toward equity and justice, this book will help early childhood professionals dismantle inequitable systems and ensure high‐quality learning experiences for every child.

EARLY EDUCATORS WILL LEARN HOW TO:

• recognize the many ways racialized bias shows up within the early childhood system
• challenge the implicit bias that shapes their perceptions and practices
• develop a deep and shared understanding of key terms used within racial equity dialogue
• create culturally responsive anti‐bias (CRAB) education environments, with sample lessons and guidance on curriculum design
• help young Black children build and maintain a positive racial identity
• strengthen school‐family partnerships by developing culturally responsive relationships with families
• take action to resolve racial inequities in suspensions and expulsions
• address historical and racial trauma to help children, staff, and families heal
• make a plan to revise data collection systems in ways that promote racial equity
• begin the challenging but necessary work of high‐level systems change

Includes chapters from influential voices in the field:

• Justin Perry
• Rosemarie Allen
• Walter Gilliam
• Tameka Ardrey
• Doré R. LaForett
• Iheoma U. Iruka
• Aisha White