Easy as 1-2-3: Teaching Antiracism to Preschoolers at Home

• In Event: The Role of Caregivers in Fostering Student Learning and Development

Abstract

While a robust literature exists on measuring young children’s racial attitudes, and critical research in early childhood calls for more explicit interventions and curricula focused on racism, few studies have tested interventions among this age group. In this paper, we report preliminary results from a proof-of-concept study that sought to test the effects and feasibility of a novel program for preschool-aged children. Participants were randomized to either receive the program or to a waitlist-control condition, and we assessed whether the program reduced racial bias and improved understanding of key concepts. While we find no significant reduction in racial bias, we do observe that program participants significantly higher knowledge scores at post-test, compared to the control group.

Authors

• Huriya Jabbar, University of Southern California

• Jessica R. Toste, University of Texas at Austin

• Kate Pounders, University of Texas at Austin

• Elizabeth Feuer, University of Texas at Austin