ERIC Number: EJ1043348
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Sep
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 67
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1836-9391
Looking Forward, Looking Back: Framing the Future for Teaching for Social Justice in Early Childhood Education
Hawkins, Karen
Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, v39 n3 p121-128 Sep 2014
There is little doubt that throughout the preschool years children are not only becoming more aware of themselves and their surroundings but they are also developing their moral frameworks by absorbing the attitudes and values of their family, culture and society. Undeniably the preschool years are crucial in shaping cultural and racial understandings and are critical in forming attitudes towards difference and diversity. Consequently, for a future characterised by justice, peace and understanding it is imperative that early childhood educators take responsibility in guiding children towards a positive attitude regarding difference and diversity, and upholding equity, justice and human dignity. However, teachers may struggle to find suitable pedagogical strategies that work to support and promote teaching for social justice and inclusion. This article highlights a doctoral study conducted in Australia that built upon successes in the US and UK that incorporated the use of children's literature in prior-to-school settings. This article will outline the strategies that were successfully implemented by teachers involved in this collaborative study using children's literature to promote and support teaching for social justice and inclusion. It is anticipated that teaching for social justice in the early years will form a foundation that will guide learners towards a lifelong concern for the valuing of difference, diversity, human dignity and justice.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Social Justice, Early Childhood Education, Childhood Attitudes, Child Development, Preschool Children, Inclusion, Childrens Literature, World Views, Critical Theory, Action Research, Participatory Research, Nursery Schools, Disabilities, Preschool Teachers
Early Childhood Australia. P.O. Box 7105, Watson, ACT 2602, Australia. Tel: +61-2-6242-1800; Fax: +61-2-6242-1818; e-mail: publishing@earlychildhood.org.au; Web site: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: Australia

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