Understanding Racial Identity in Young Children

Mar 20, 2024

“Racial identity” refers to a person’s understanding of different racial identities, one’s preferences for a particular racial identity and how identities are ranked in their family, their society and in their own mind. Toni Sturdivant has spent her career developing a library of books and a collection of teaching ideas for the early childhood classroom that will help young children establish a positive racial identity. In this episode, she talks about her work and her particular focus on boosting the confidence and resilience of young children of color.

Guest: Toni Sturdivant is director of Early Learning and Head Start for the Mid-America Regional Council in Kansas City, MO. She is also a parent, coach, professor and author who focuses on young children’s racial identity. 

Discussion Guide: Early Risers Season 5 Episode 6 Discussion Guide

Episode Resources:

More from Toni Sturdivant: her books and other interviews

Toni’s personal statement: https://www.naeyc.org/about-us/people/governing-board/elections/toni-sturdivant

Video: Unpacking parenting with Toni Sturdivant

2021 Scholarly research report from UNC: “Ethnic-Racial Identity Formation in the Early Years” 

More resources on positive racial identity in BIPOC children