Building Equitable Early Learning Programs: A Social-Justice Approach - Paperback

by Ebonyse Mead (Author), Tameka Ardrey (Author)

Building Equitable Early Learning Programs
A Social-Justice Approach
Ebonyse Mead, EdD, and Tameka Ardrey, PhD

Equity means individuals get what they need to succeed. As early childhood classrooms and programs become increasingly more culturally and linguistically diverse, educators need ideas for connecting with families to learn what children need. The more families are engaged, the better the outcomes for children. Early childhood administrators and teachers can collaborate to create equitable and inclusive learning environments where children and families feel welcome.

Building Equitable Early Learning Programs: A Social-Justice Approach gives educators the facts, examples, strategies, and approaches needed to create and sustain programs and practices that can best serve our communities.
- Learn how to adapt culturally inclusive educational practices beyond cultural-awareness months and holidays.
- Discover how to use professional learning communities, honest discussions, and reflection to inform real action.
- Find ways to engage authentically and strengthen relationships with the children and families you serve.
- Learn practical strategies to promote inclusivity in your classrooms and programs.

Author Biography

Catherine Koons-Hubbard, MEd, is the preschool director at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee, WI. She earned a master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania and has more than 15 years' experience as an environmental educator. She has written multiple articles and created an online course on nature-based early childhood curriculum and assessment for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Catherine presents widely on the topic of nature-based early childhood education at regional and national conferences. Patti Ensel Bailie, PhD, is one of the leaders in the national nature preschool movement. She is an assistant professor of early childhood education at the University of Maine at Farmington and has worked in early childhood environmental education for 30 years. She is the founding director of the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center Preschool and served as the codirector of the Early Childhood Outdoors Institute at the Fontenelle Nature Association in Omaha, NE. She presents at regional and national conferences on connecting young children to nature.