Quentin carried this into the bedroom in the early hours this morning and asked if I would read it to him.
It’s a book I took out of the school library to celebrate his birthday with back in April but I thought it was pretty timely he chose it today.
It has all the messages we want him and all other children but especially masculine of center presenting children to be told over and over again.
“There’s so much more than sports.” This one in particular has to be driven home time and time again in our house with a ballet loving boy.
Having books on your bookshelves whether at home or in the classroom featuring Black folks and other People of Colour is an incredibly important first step. However there is still a long way to go towards being anti-racist. Having regular age appropriate conversations with children about race is an ongoing work that involves many steps.
If you find it hard to know where to start, simply search “diverse children’s books” or “conversations about race with children”. Seek out leaders in Anti Biased Anti Racist education and listen without asking for resources or time from them. They are already doing the work. It’s your turn to get involved.
Listening and learning go a long way to furthering the Prepared Adult and thus the Prepared Environment.
Our Montessori Life 