News

As stated by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), “all children have the right to equitable learning opportunities that help them achieve their full potential as engaged learners and valued members of society.” That’s why, in support of equitable access and opportunities, NAEYC released their new position statement: “Advancing Equity in Early Education.”

About

Early childhood educators and professionals are in a unique position to advance equity in education. Early childhood education settings—including centers, family child care homes, and schools—are often among children’s first communities beyond their families. With the support of the early education system as a whole, they can create early learning environments that equitably distribute learning opportunities by helping all children experience responsive interactions that:

• • nurture their full range of social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and linguistic abilities;
• • reflect and model fundamental principles of fairness and justice;
• • and help them accomplish the goals of anti-bias education.

To learn more, read NAEYC’s full position statement.

Recommendations

Listed below are a few of NAEYC’s recommendations. For the full list, visit NAEYC’s website.

Everyone

• • Build awareness and understanding of your culture, personal beliefs, values, and biases.
• • Recognize the power and benefits of diversity and inclusivity.
• • Take responsibility for biased actions, even if unintended, and actively work to repair them.
• • Acknowledge and seek to understand structural inequities and their impact over time.

Administrators of Schools, Centers, Child Care, and Education Settings

• • Take proactive steps with measurable goals to recruit and retain educators and leaders who reflect the diversity of children and families served and who meet professional expectations.
• • Employ staff who speak the languages of the children and families served.
• • Recognize the value of serving a diverse group of children and strive to increase the range of diversity among those served.
• • Create meaningful, ongoing opportunities for multiple voices with diverse perspectives to engage in leadership and decision making.

More Information

For questions, contact NAEYC at 202.232.8777 or help@naeyc.org.

*Information provided by the NAEYC