Attitudes Toward Black Americans Held by Rural and Urban White Early Childhood Subjects Based Upon Multi-Ethnic Social Studies Materials

Abstract

During recent years an increasing number of multi-ethnic social studies texts, reading books, and pamphlets have appeared for in early childhood education (e.g. three to eight year-old or nursery to third grade). The multi-ethnic materials have generally focused upon black, Indian, or other minority groups, and white living, playing and working harmoniously together in some community setting. The basic assumption underlying these texts and other social studies materials was the notion that children are influenced by what they read. However, educationists have found it difficult to understand what happens to the reader, that is, what effect does the reading material have on the reader.