Here it is. 2024. I come back to this blog after four years, having experienced struggles and opportunities to problem solve, adapt and transform throughout the pandemic and beyond- as all of us did in our own way. I became a virtual music teacher, extending that role all the way to 2023, before moving to a different state, making awesome new additions to my family (and anticipating still more), and teaching in person again.
Teaching in person this year quite literally reawakened muscles needed for interacting with young children. At the end of the day, I was so tired- my body and mind ached in ways that reminded me of the scope, depth and importance of this work. In reflection of my own work and in observation of the education community as a whole, I asked myself questions about the goals of post pandemic arts education- particularly around teaching prosocial skills.
The biggest uncertainty for me was how to enhance those crucial skills of empathy in students- so needed to foster kindness and respect. Working with students in a more intentional way on diversity, equity, and inclusion is long past due and so needed as well, but with the added need to explore empathy, kindness, and respect, it adds a prerequisite to this intention. In addition, this work is not complete, especially around equity, if we as educators do not address racism- what it is and how to be an antiracist. For me, the intention for this work goes particularly toward children ages 6-8, who experienced the pandemic in their early childhood years.
Exploring these issues through the arts gives children the opportunity to learn about these important concepts in a representational way that increases understanding, and encourages behavior that is sensitive to these topics in lived experiences. This combination of theory and practice is what drives authentic learning around any topic, but perhaps most importantly here.
We know early childhood is the time when the brain develops the most, and children can learn prosocial behaviors that can quite literally make the world a better place. Children ages 6-8 are still learning and practicing these skills. It's never too late to practice, really, but I feel giving some extra love and attention to this age group would help fill a need to reinforce skills that started to develop during early childhood- for them perhaps disrupted because of the pandemic.
While my previous work on this blog has focused on children ages 0-6, I'll be extending my work to those a bit older to encourage awareness and intention around these topics. In particular, I want to connect families with media that helps build an understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism, along with empathy, kindness, and respect. The list I'll provide today is in no way comprehensive, but I hope to add more to it- so stay tuned! Today's focus will be books. I'll also offer ideas for how to put these skills to practice, inspired by the lessons the books offer.
Diversity - Whoever You Are by Mem Fox - I chose this book because the art reflects diverse faces. It reflects and celebrates global diversity, differences in where we live and the languages we speak. It also shares how we are the same in poignant, relatable ways.
Equity - A Little Book About Equity by Courn "Courtney" Ahn - This book does a great job explaining that we don't always have what we need, and that what we need can be different. When everyone gets what they need, that's equity!
Inclusion - All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold - A beautiful reflection of how all schools should welcome diversity, this book shows how schools can be inclusive, safe spaces.
Antiracism - Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi - This is a great book for children and adults to learn the ways we can disrupt the systematic racism around us- this is also an awesome new find for me.
Empathy - The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña- I was delighted to find out about this book. It made me remember the time I spent living on Market Street in San Francisco, and how my empathy grew for the different people I encountered in the city.
Kindness - Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagara - In a format that resonates with my artistic inclinations, this numbers book shows how we can show kindness and care in a community. We can "count" on each other- showing kindness towards each other as well as for the community and environment as a whole.
Respect - Noisy Night by Mac Barnett - I like this book because it highlights a simple way to show respect, to be quiet so others can sleep, in a funny way but also showing that our behavior and actions can affect those around us.
Diversity - Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor - The individual experiences shared here increase awareness of both visible and invisible diversity. Shared, human struggles can increase empathy- a unique testimony to the lived experience of diverse individuals!
Equity - Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai - Malala's story is one every child should know. With her magic pencil, Malala at first wishes she could magically draw into existence whatever people might need, wishing equity for her community but unable to make those wishes a reality. She later learns that writing and speaking up to challenge inequity is the brave and powerful act that can bring help to those in need.
Inclusion - Change Sings: A Children's Anthem by Amanda Gorman - Gorman's anthem for how children can bring change to communities is a true collaboration with illustrator Loren Long. We see a young girl with a guitar including others in her efforts to help her community. In one of the illustrations, this effort is met with resistance- a boy covers his ears when she shares her message through music. In the next illustration, we see the boy helping to make a wheelchair ramp, so we are left to question how the girl was able to include and accommodate the boy. The text reads, "I show others tolerance, Though it may take some courage. I don't make a taller fence, But fight to build a better bridge." Students enjoy finding the narrative in the illustrations- it increases understanding of the text!
Antiracism - Freedom River by Doreen Rappaport- I have struggled to share the harsh realities of racism and slavery with younger students. This book is a great starting point because it depicts the associated hate and violence in an honest but age appropriate way. This understanding of history is so necessary to be able to grasp the extension of systematic racism in our communities today- and how to disrupt it as an antiracist.
Empathy - The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig - I feel it's necessary to teach children that empathy can be turned "on" and "off" in our brains. We do it unconsciously, and it is called dehumanization. This book gives insight into what it's like to be treated that way, and to make us more conscious of how we can "see" people - their feelings, their strengths, their humanity.
Kindness - We're All Wonders by R.J. Palacio AND The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson -I'm including both of these books here because in both books, the characters face unkindness, and retreat to an imaginary place of complete acceptance and freedom to be who they are, rather than be unkind or negative in return. This similarity was intriguing to me. While The Year We Learned to Fly raises awareness about the folk allegory that depicts mental freedom from slavery, both books highlight a protective mental strategy we all possess. It also shows us if kindness can exist in our imagination, it can exist in reality as well.
Respect - The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - This classic book is sometimes lauded as an allegory for the need to show gratitude, which is part of a practice of respect, but I see it as going further. Disrespect occurs when our focus is only on our own needs/wants, not those of others. The tree's demise shows what happens when disrespect goes unchecked. This book can start a discussion about thinking about and respecting what others need: boundaries, the ability to flourish, contentment, and yes, to be shown gratitude.
Diversity - Attend community events that celebrate diversity. MLK Day, Lunar New Year, Juneteenth, and Pride events are a few examples. Take advantage of the family friendly activities these events have to offer!
Equity - Involve young ones in donating to food, clothes, and other reusable items. Spend time shopping at stores that sell recycled items as well- this shows that we don't need to buy new items all the time, especially when those items are not affordable to others. In addition, support sharing during play.
Inclusion - At the playground or during other family activities in the community, model for your children how to include others in play. Think of ways to include children who may need support or accommodations to participate. Seek out spaces that are genuinely inclusive to all families- or provide your own!
Antiracism - Seek out spaces to play or visit that allow opportunities for your children to interact with others who do not look like them. Support your children in avoiding using and calling out micro-aggressions, using a growth mindset and awareness of your knowledge deficits and biases. Do this work with the intention of giving your children skills to be antiracists- it will! You may also make some friends along the way and do some disrupting of your own!
Empathy - Model empathy during play by caring for those who are hurt and helping to work out problems that arise. Additionally, just like in The Last Stop on Market Street, field questions children ask about people they encounter in the community by having them try to imagine and appreciate peoples’ feelings and life experiences.
Kindness - During those moments your children are not happy with someone or something, practice focusing on the good or positive- even if that takes some imagination! Help children find the kind words to say and actions to take. Model kindness to others by lifting others up when they seem down.
Respect - During play, support your child in respecting what others need- personal space, kind words, words of gratitude. Be persistent- think of this work as a process that can be fully realized over your child's entire development- that's until they are 25! Be consistent- model and ask for respect as a daily expectation.
