Counteracting Dysconscious Racism and Ableism Through Fieldwork: Applying DisCrit Classroom Ecology in Early Childhood Personnel Preparation. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hancock, Christine L.; Morgan, Chelsea W.; Holly, James
• Other Names: Beneke Maggie guest-editor.; Blanchard Sheresa guest-editor.; Vihn Megan guest-editor.; Barton Erin E. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Topics in early childhood special education. Volume 41:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 45
• Page End: 56
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Disability Critical Race Theory -- fieldwork -- practicum -- personnel preparation; Children with disabilities -- Education (Preschool) -- Periodicals; Child Development -- Periodicals; Education, Special -- Periodicals; Enfants handicapés -- Enseignement préscolaire -- Périodiques; Éducation précoce; Éducation préscolaire; Éducation spéciale; Enfant handicapé; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 371.905
• DOI: 10.1177/0271121421989797
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0271-1214

Abstract

Early childhood personnel preparation programs must prepare future early educators who can counteract racism and ableism to provide all children with an equitable and just education. We applied Dis/ability Critical Race Theory (DisCrit) Classroom Ecology to early childhood and specifically to preschool settings. We argue that early childhood personnel preparation programs can utilize this framework to prepare preservice early educators to facilitate more equitable experiences for Children of Color with disabilities and their families. We discuss the importance of preparing future early educators to counteract racism and ableism through their fieldwork experiences. We also provide a brief overview of DisCrit in relation to early childhood personnel preparation and present DisCrit Classroom Ecology to apply the framework components to preschool fieldwork.