The 2000 US census was the first to allow respondents to check more than one race/ethnic response for their identity. About 6.8 million Americans did so, and a disproportionate percentage of them were children under age 18 years old. The purpose of this article is to examine the extent to which this change is reflected in contemporary child…

In view of the increasing number of interracial relationships and families, and the concomitant emphasis on religious, cultural, racial, ethnic, and national identity (and their contribution to pride, self awareness, and community), this paper examines the rights and responsibilities of interracial families to challenge the emerging trend toward…

There are two central issues that must be addressed when counseling multiracial and multiethnic children in the United States. The first is that, although the United States is fixated on race, only single-race group membership is recognized. The second issue is that multiracial children growing up in the United States experience a variety of cues…

This paper presents the views of an early childhood educator who is also a parent of biracial children on the following topics: interracial families, biracial children, and ways in which early childhood programs and schools should work with these families and children. Discussion focuses on mixed backgrounds, the need for and use of appropriate…

This paper focuses on differences in Brazil and the United States in attitudes toward multiracial and multiethnic children and developmentally appropriate practice in education and child rearing. Child rearing in Brazil is characterized by a generally permissive approach with a high degree of patience, although parent-child relationships among the…

This article discusses how multiracial and multicultural families help children to develop a self identity. The roles parents, teachers and classmates play in responding to this issue are discussed and suggestions for promoting individual development are made. (JL)

Discussions about interracial families usually end with the question, "but what about the children?" This paper examines the prerequisites of parenting biracial children, whether in foster, adoptive, one-, or two-parent families and provides suggestions to help parents of biracial children in their child rearing. The paper identifies…

Offers suggestions that will help professionals in child care, schools, social services, and health care work sensitively and effectively with interracial children and their families. (BB)

Looks at transracially adoptive and biologically multiracial families. These families need support and understanding because much of society is uncomfortable with them. It is important not to stereotype children of such families. The article presents suggestions to help these parents enrich their childrens' lives. (SM)

Encourages Head Start programs to use parental involvement and communication to support multiracial and multiethnic children by listening to parents, providing information, and welcoming the family. Lists specific areas to address in supporting diversity and dealing with common problems. (SD)

Schools often ignore the existence and special concerns of multiracial and multiethnic students, whose numbers are increasing faster than those of monoracial children. Serving these students requires changing teacher education, recording heritage sensitively, assessing formal and informal curricula, revising ethnic and racial celebrations,…

This paper advances a model to explain the development of a healthy biracial identity among biracial children and adolescents. This model integrates five ecological components: family, community, minority context, majority context, and group antagonism. At Stage 1, from age 3 through age 7, young children explore individual and racial differences,…

This article discusses characteristics of biracial children, identifies pressures facing interracial families, notes societal myths about interracial families, and considers identity development of the biracial child. Fifteen specific teaching strategies for supporting biracial children in school settings are suggested. (DB)

Addresses the needs of preschool children whose biological parents come from two or more traditional racial/ethnic groups. Advocates the extension of multiracial curriculum in early childhood programs to support and embrace these multiracial and multiethnic children. Recommends staff training, providing new classroom materials, working closely…

Recommends ways in which early childhood educators and other professionals can be sensitive to and supportive of the special identification needs of young interracial children and their families. (BB)