6 Reflection on your next steps
Reflection prompt
Reflect on the following questions:
- How has your understanding of racial identity development in the early years changed after this session?
- What strategies could you use to support young children’s racial identity in your own setting or home?
- How might you address colleagues’, peers’ or family members’ discomfort or misconceptions about discussing race with children?
Next steps
The following activity will help you translate the learning from this session into practical action. It is designed to support both practitioners and parents in reflecting on their current approaches, identifying areas for growth, and planning proactive strategies for nurturing positive racial identity development in young children.
Activity 6 Action planning
The aim of this activity is to help you translate the concepts from this session into concrete actions. Whether you are working in an early years setting, or raising children at home, these tasks will guide you in reflecting on current practices and planning proactive ways to support positive racial identity development.
For practitioners
Task 1 Reflect on your practice
This activity will help you to consider your role in the racial socialisation of the children in your care.
- List the children you currently work with. Reflect on how your actions, words and teaching practices have contributed to their understanding of race and identity.
- Identify at least two specific instances where you have consciously or unconsciously influenced their racial socialisation.
- Consider what you could do differently to support more positive racial identity development in these children.
No discussion for this one?
Task 2 Plan for proactive engagement
Here, you will develop strategies for addressing race and identity intentionally in your early years setting.
- Identify one upcoming lesson or activity where you could incorporate discussions about race, identity or cultural diversity.
- Outline the steps you will take to ensure the discussion is age-appropriate and inclusive.
- Plan how you will encourage children to ask questions and share their thoughts on the topic.
No discussion for this one?
For parents and caregivers
Task 1 Reflect on your home environment
This activity will support you to evaluate the racial and cultural messages your child receives at home.
- List the books, media, toys and cultural artefacts your child engages with. How do these represent different races and cultures?
- Reflect on the conversations you have had with your child about race and identity. Have these been proactive or reactive? How might you initiate more open discussions?
No discussion for this one?
Task 2 Strengthening cultural awareness
Here, you will plan to enhance your child’s understanding of race and cultural diversity.
- Choose a new book, film or activity that introduces your child to a culture or racial group different from their own.
- Plan a time to explore this together, discussing what you both learned and how it connects to your child’s experiences.
- Consider how you can regularly integrate similar activities into your family’s routine to reinforce positive messages about diversity.
No discussion for this one?