What If All the Kids Are White?: Anti-Bias Multicultural Education with Young Children and Families (Early Childhood Education Series Book 122)

In this updated edition, two distinguished early childhood educators tackle the crucial topic of what White children need and gain from anti-bias and multicultural education. The authors propose seven learning themes to help young White children resist messages of racism and build identity and skills for thriving in a country and world filled with diverse ways of being. This compelling text includes teaching strategies for early childhood settings, activities for families and staff, reflection questions, a record of 20th- and 21st-century White anti-racism activists, and organizational and website resources.

Bringing this bestselling guide completely up to date, the authors:

• Address the current state of racism and anti-racism in the United States, including the election of the first African American president and the rise of hate groups.


• Review child development research with a particular emphasis on recent observational studies that show how White children enact racial power codes.


• Discuss implementation of the core learning themes in racially diverse early childhood education settings, state standards for preschools and pre-K classrooms, and NCLB pressures on early childhood teaching.


• Update all resources and appendices, including reading lists and websites for finding resources and organizations engaged in anti-racism work.

Louise Derman-Sparksis a past faculty member at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, California and the co-author ofTeaching/Learning Anti-Racism. Louise presents conference keynotes, conducts workshops, and consults throughout the United States and internationally.Patricia G. Ramseyis Professor of Psychology and Education at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts and author ofTeaching and Learning in a Diverse World.

Praise for the First Edition—

“Derman-Sparks and Ramsey offer an ‘alternative vision’ for white identity that breaks the mold….The current status of our anti-bias work demands we read [this book] and use it well”

—From the Foreword byCarol Brunson Day

“A dynamic blend of child development theory, social history, and the best pedagogical practice from two distinguished social justice educators—every teacher of young children should read it!”

—Beverly Daniel Tatum, President, Spelman College

“An accessible, practical, and essential tool for every teacher of young white children. I especially appreciated the concrete suggestions and abundance of resources from two of early childhood education’s most experienced teachers.”

—Paul Kivel, educator and author ofUprooting RacismandI Can Make My World a Safer Place

“By starting with a strong sense of identity that is not race-based, children can move forward to cultivate an anti-racist culture. This book offers caregivers excellent frameworks and tools to make this happen.”

—TC Record