Early Childhood Racial Identity – The Potential Powerful Role for Museum Programing

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article examines how the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) approaches conversations on race with young children and their families and teachers. Based on our current understanding of the development of racial identity and race in children between birth and age eight, NMAAHC has developed an Early Childhood Education Initiative with young children and their families, and a series of Let’s Talk! Dialogue on Race workshops for teachers. NMAAHC’s education specialists leverage the museum’s collection and content as a concrete starting place to discuss abstract concepts such as race and identity. Staff development programs also include a focus on young children and approaches to supporting self-care to enable our long-term effectiveness in addressing the emotion charged and contentious issues of race and racism.