Advancing Empathy and Equity in Early Childhood Education

Antiracism and cultural competence, when incorporated into early childhood education, can powerfully impact young children’s social and emotional development. Authors Christine Mason, Randy Ross, Orinthia Harris, and Jillayne Flanders guide leaders in cultivating compassion and equity in their school communities. Explore reflective practices with questions and activities based on fifteen principles to address inequities affecting students, staff, and families.

This book will help preK–3 leaders and childcare center directors:

• Cultivate antiracism and cultural competence with visioning, action planning, targeted professional development, and curricula that support equity and justice
• Address implicit bias, even in the midst of dissension among staff and families
• Develop an antiracist, culturally competent school climate
• Deepen their own knowledge and understanding of chapter content using reflection questions and activities
• Reduce inequities leading to the preschool-to-prison pipeline

Contents:
Foreword
Introduction: Kind Minds and Big Hearts
Part 1: Foundations
Chapter 1: Bold Leadership—Necessary for Heart Centered, Antiracist Education
Chapter 2: Historical Threads of Bias—Acknowledgment of What Must Change
Chapter 3: Support for All Students—A Continuum From Multicultural to Antiracist Movements
Chapter 4: My Heart to Yours—A Heart Centered Lens
Chapter 5: One C to Another—The Five Cs of Heart Centered Learning
Chapter 6: A Deep Dive—The HEART+ of the Matter
Part 2: Practical Steps Leaders Can Take
Chapter 7: HEART+—A Focus on Action
Chapter 8: So Many Wrongs to Right—Antibias Education
Chapter 9: Circles of Love—School Culture and Restorative Practices
Chapter 10: A Mountain of Courage—Visioning and Action Planning
Part 3: Antiracist Curriculum and Staff Support
Chapter 11: A Light to Shine Together—Professional Development and Supports
Chapter 12: Curricula for Young Children—The Building Blocks for Equity in Early Childhood
Chapter 13: A Bar to Be Raised—Equity in Early Childhood Educator Standards
Chapter 14: Early Childhood Staff Support—Equitable Professional Pathways
Chapter 15: A Look at the Future—Leadership to Embrace Change
Epilogue: Toward a More Just and Inclusive World
Appendix A: Equity Activities for Early Childhood Leaders
Appendix B: Discussion and Challenge Questions for Each Chapter
References and Resources
Index