# The Handbook of Racial Equity in Early Childhood Education

**Authors:** [Jen Neitzel, Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=204740&Name=Jen+Neitzel,Ph.D.), [Ebonyse Mead, Ed.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=204741&Name=Ebonyse+Mead,Ed.D.)

Early Childhood, Higher 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. Transform your practices _and_ work for systemic change with this visionary guidebook, a comprehensive roadmap to promoting racial equity in early childhood education.

**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

## Reviews

Library Bookwatch, The Education Shelf - June 1, 2023

"essential reading for classroom educators, school administrators, and school board/governmental policymakers working toward equity and justice ... [the book] will materially help early childhood professionals to fight back and dismantle racially based inequitable systems and ensure high quality learning experiences for every child regarding their racial identity and the genuine history of African-Americans ... an essential and unreservedly recommended addition to school district, college, and university libraries"

Lori Cassidy, Educational Trainer and Coach, Pyramid 802 Plus - February 20, 2023

“Timely and urgently needed today! Grounded in research but geared towards action, this book will help guide folks through the reflection and deep thinking needed to address issues of equity and diversity in early education.”

Jackie Bergerson, Autism Specialist, Oregon - February 20, 2023

“An essential resource for teacher training programs to get the conversation about equity started with our budding teachers…[this book] will prepare them to go into the classroom with more awareness and knowledge about what steps they can take toward equity and anti-racist practices.”

**See a video about the book**

[How can we achieve racial equity in early childhood education in the US?](https://youtu.be/vdDuS_ka61U)

**Read an excerpt**

[Preface and Chapter 1: Current Issues and Challenges](/content/resource-library/handbook-of-racial-equity-in-ec-education-excerpt/index.html)

**Watch a webinar from the authors**

[Achieving Equity and Justice in Early Learning Programs](/content/resource-library/achieving-equity-and-justice-in-early-learning-programs/index.html)  
[DEC Learning Deck: Understanding Implicit Bias and Its Role in Early Learning Environments](https://www.dec-sped.org/product-page/understanding-implicit-bias-and-its-role-in-early-learning-environments)

**Download the alignment**

[How Our Early Childhood Products Help Strengthen Head Start Program Quality and School Readiness](/content/resource-library/brookes-publishings-head-start-alignment/index.html)

- Appendix A Positive Racial Identity Development: First Person Voices
- Appendix B Anti-Racist Resources

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