Ourselves & Others: Racial Learning with Preschoolers

Ourselves & Others: Racial Learning with Preschoolers
(2023 Special Exhibit, May 27–October 14, 2023, part of regular admission)

Ourselves & Others: Racial Learning with Preschoolers uncovers new research in the fields of racial and anti-bias learning which has emerged from the work of early childhood educators and child development experts. 

Recent studies show that most adults believe young children are colorblind, and that the first conversation about race shouldn’t occur until age 5, years after children have begun forming racial bias. White parents are particularly hesitant. Despite this, young children are making astute perceptions about the world around them. They pay attention to who is boss, observe the advantages of a wealthy life, and notice the proximity of other racial groups in their own lives. While children notice differences such as race, social class, and ability/disability, they are often silenced when they vocalize their observations. Silence hurts children. When adults respond with discomfort or silence, children internalize that differences are bad, and are left to determine reasoning on their own, with little resources or agency. Instead, adults should have direct, honest conversations with young children about diversity and inequity, helping them to discover similarities when they only see differences, and encourage pride and strength in their own identities. The framework of anti-bias/racial learning helps adults do just this. 

Ourselves & Others explores the methodology and strategies of racial learning, and how young children respond, through the lens of the Museum’s in-classroom, pilot program, which was completed in the ‘22/’23 academic year. The exhibit includes a reading nook and hands-on activities for children.

Read more about the Museum’s ECE programming HERE.