ERIC Number: EJ1347643
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 7
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1068-6177
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Available Date: N/A
Using Texts to Accurately Represent Africa's Cultures and Promote Healthy Personal and Social Identities among Children
Ruth Facun-Granadozo; Olawale Olubowale; Chukwudebelu Franklin Ejiogu
Dimensions of Early Childhood, v50 n2 p12-18 2022
Africans are often misrepresented or under-represented in popular books and media. They are often presented as a single group of people; hence, other peoples' formed notion of Africans represents a single story (Adichie, 2009). This single story needs to change because it does not represent many Africans' lived experiences. The antidote to stereotypes, particularly those influenced by unconscious or implicit bias, is continually learning about group differences and multicultural viewpoints, thus, fostering true understanding (Marks, 2015). Early childhood professionals play a crucial role in changing the experiences of African children in U.S. classrooms. To be successful in this role, teachers need to educate themselves about Africa and the African cultures represented in their classrooms. The authors provide resources to improve teachers' understanding of Africa, strategies to engage children with authentic texts, and a selection of children's books addressing African stories. After engaging with several authentic texts on Africa and Africans, children may fully understand that Africa is not a single country, and its people represent varied and rich cultures.
Descriptors: African Culture, Early Childhood Teachers, Books, Childrens Literature, Cultural Awareness, Stereotypes, Racism, Children, Self Concept, Misconceptions, African Americans, Teacher Role, Educational Strategies
Southern Early Childhood Association. PO Box 8109
Jacksonville, AR 72078. Tel: 501-221-1648. e-mail: info@seca.info; Web site: www.seca.info/dimensions
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A