Early childhood educators have the unique opportunity to cultivate racial-cultural empathy and challenge discrimination before and during this prime age. Understand the importance of promoting racial-cultural empathy and challenging discrimination during early childhood to promote racial and cultural awareness among young children. Become familiar with the components of teaching racial-cultural empathy in early childhood education programs, including knowledge of inter-group differences, awareness of biases, and social-emotional skills to overcome prejudice and practice solidarity. Identify program-wide inclusive policies and family engagement practices that challenge discrimination and propel the development of racial-cultural empathy.

Young children need their families’ support to build cognitive self-regulation — or executive function — skills like focusing, maintaining attention, and controlling impulses. In this Home Visiting Series webinar, explore research, home visiting strategies, and resources that support home visitors as they partner with families to promote cognitive self-regulation in young children.

Dr. Hinemoa Elder, MNZM, a Māori child and adolescent psychiatrist of Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa, and Ngāpuhi nui tonu descent, is an advocate for Te Reo Māori — the Māori language — and the cultural knowledge the language embodies. She will join us for this third Fall 2021 Learning to Listen conversation to share her reflections on Indigenous wisdom that can broaden our focus and foster family well-being.