Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
There has been much attention given to the achievement gap between white and minority students, especially African American children. Through research and years of experience, the author breaks down the cultural influences on children's learning styles and provides a practical approach to helping black children thrive in the classroom.
For black children, which Sullivan defines as those of African descent, there is a disconnect between learning preferences and learning environments that must be bridged before the achievement gap can be closed. This hands-on resource is filled with effective strategies and best practices to help early childhood educators expand their "toolbox" for supporting children.
Increasing cultural intelligence will allow us to work across the many differences in our classrooms. As our schools become more diverse, cultural competency will be an increasingly important skill for teacher's efficacy and children's success. By cultivating the individual genius of each child and meeting children where they are today, we can invigorate the education system and provide children high-quality early education experiences.
Age focus: 3–9
Debra Sullivan has written a book that focuses on the education of young black children from a social justice perspective. She challenges us to think more deeply about our craft knowledge and practices that can lead to children's deeper learning and help to close the achievement gap. She reminds us that the early years matter and that to ensure black children's success in school and in life, we must first discover the genius that resides within.—Maurice Sykes, author of Doing the Right Thing for Children
Dr. Sullivan has managed to shift the conversation from the persistent achievement gap that limits the potential of Black children to a more productive analysis and steps to nurture the genius of Black children. The wisdom of her approach shifts the focus to include research grounded in the reality of cultural learning styles and preferences, a teacher's commitment to healthy child development for every child and how teachers can build meaningful relationships with Black families and communities as a committed partner in the learning and development of Black children. This is a must read for all early childhood professionals committed to helping Black children, and all children to thrive.—Claire Chang, Former governing board member of NAEYC
Debra Sullivan has written a book that provides personal reflection and experiences, as well as relevant references, descriptive vignettes, discussions of learning environments, and questions for readers' reflections. Curricular models and program practices from early education programs are used to identify and contrast various culturally relevant elements of appropriate learning environments for children of African Descent. I strongly recommend Cultivating the Genius of Black Children to anyone working with young children. Sullivan boldly challenges us to look at what it will take to simultaneously close the academic achievement gap and cultivate the genius of Black children in classrooms that already exist. As she states: " It is possible, doable, and imperative"—Ed Greene, Educational Trasmedia Designs
"Cultivating the Genius of Black Children: Strategies to Close the Achievement Gap in the Early Years is quite simply a 'must' for any collection strong in early childhood education for black children. Research, experience, and the latest studies combine in a reference directed to early childhood educators interested in creating classrooms in which Black children learn and grow on many levels. From different cultural influences specific to Black children and how they learn to incorporating this knowledge into a classroom endeavor, this book is filled with important keys to success and shows teachers how to better involve kids and families alike in the education process."
—The Education Shelf, Midwest Book Review
Part 1: Background and Context
Chapter 1: What Do We Know about How Black Children Learn?
Chapter 2: Incorporating Learning Styles and Preferences
Chapter 3: Cultural Competence
Part 2: Putting It Into Practice
Chapter 4: Key Elements of Appropriate Learning Environments for Children of African Descent
Chapter 5: Changing Teaching
Chapter 6: Changing the Environment
Chapter 7: Changing Relationships
Chapter 8: Working within Existing Models
Closing Thoughts
Appendix
Index