Considerable research in the Canadian and American context has revealed that children as young as 3 discern racial characteristics including differences in skin tone and hair texture. Studies have also shown that white children self-identify more accurately, prefer their own group, and rate their own group more positively than other racial groups. These findings have led to the emergence of anti-bias, multicultural and anti-racist education in early childhood education. An anti-bias curriculum typically focuses on addressing a diverse range of identities, including race; in contrast, anti-racist education recognizes the saliency of race in relation to other social identities—and the need to foreground race in social analyses, critiques and pedagogical activities.

To access this post, upgrade your membership.