Inseparable connections: Engaging children in a dialogue on beauty and justice

Abstract

This article delves into the concept of beauty within the context of early childhood education and social justice. It proposes a pedagogical project to challenge prevailing beauty norms and encourage critical engagement. The project fosters dialogue among children and explores beauty through a garden visit. Through these discussions, the children’s evolving perspectives on beauty emerge, transcending surface-level appearances and appreciating the interconnectedness of all living entities. Drawing on philosophical concepts of beauty and dialogue, the author underscores the significance of active listening, encountering other perspectives, thoughtful contemplation and lingering for a more inclusive and equitable early childhood pedagogy.