Anti-Bias Article by Dana Bentley

Teaching Young Children to Understand and Accept Differences

In this article Dana Bentley discusses having anti-bias conversations with children, instead of shutting them down

"it empowers children by giving them the tools to foster confident and knowledgeable self-identities, empathetic interactions, critical thinking skills, and activism."

"It emerges through play, through trusting relationships, and through deep talk."

Five Teaching Strategies to Create an Anti-Bias Classroom:

• Keep a library of anti-bias picture books in your classroom at all times. These books offer great opportunities to spark discussion, and to support long-term anti-bias thinking.
• Realise and accept that you may feel uncomfortable when embarking on these discussions. This should not deter you from the work.
• Practice problem-solving and critical discussions with your class about other, easier topics. Once you have that discussion format, it offers a space for anti-bias work. Use the children’s words to frame the class discussions (perhaps in your morning message or to begin morning meeting). “I remember that Emma said that girls were storm troopers too. What do you all think?” Starting with the children’s words empowers the individual and the group, demonstrating that you are building meaning with them as a group.
• When these moments occur, open up the conversation rather than shutting it down. Ask questions. Share stories. Allow the children to build an anti-bias stance through their thinking as a group.