At-Home Learning is an early childhood education resource (for ages 2-8) providing families, educators and community partners with at-home learning activities, guides, and expert advice.
As educators and caregivers, it’s imperative that we have honest and brave conversations with the children in our lives. This includes disrupting false narratives when we hear them being perpetuated in our homes and schools. The myth that Columbus was a hero is not only harmful, it’s also unfair to children when grown-ups they trust withhold the truth.
In an attempt to honor and recognize Indigenous people as the first inhabitants of the United States, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is being celebrated in many cities throughout the country. While advocating for the observation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a step forward, the inaccurate and whitewashed history that is taught in most schools contributes to the erasure of over 500 Native nations. We can do better by centering Indigenous voices and stories all year, even with our littlest learners.
This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, commit to teaching children to make deep connections to the land and present-day Native nations, along with amplifying and learning about Indigenous heroes, artists, writers and musicians all year long. Here are some ideas to get started:
Disrupt the “People of the Past” Narrative
Debbie Reese, a Nambé Pueblo scholar and educator said, “Choose books that are tribally specific (that name a specific tribal nation and accurately present that nation), written by Native writers, set in the present day, and relevant all year round, keeping Native peoples visible throughout the school year.” Involve young learners in researching whose land you are on. This small but critical action will support children in making connections to the land and the original inhabitants and stewards of the places they call home.
Explore Whose Land: Territories by Land. This online resource provides information about Native nations throughout the United States and access to many of the Native nations’ websites. The websites provide a platform to research upcoming events and ways you can support local Indigenous communities. As you research over time, ask children prompting questions such as:
Seek out Indigenous Created Resources
Children have a good sense of what is fair and what is not. Extend their learning about white settler colonialism by watching “Grandpa’s Drum” from “Molly of Denali.” “Molly of Denali” was created by Alaska Native writers and advisers. It’s also one of the first children’s television programs to have a Native American lead. Here are some tips for making the most of this resource:
Have Conversations About Community and Heritage
Healthy identity development is critical to fostering resiliency, self-love and emotional growth. Children can recognize and celebrate their own cultures and cultural identities while also respecting and honoring the experiences of others.
Read Indigenous Created Kid-Lit
Representation matters. Books must provide windows for children to learn about experiences different from their own, while also validating their own lived experiences by providing mirrors into their multiple identities. There are brilliant Indigenous children’s authors writing so much goodness right now. Here are a few must reads:
April Brown (M.Ed.) is a curriculum developer and education writer currently living in Putney, Vermont, with her family. She has a decade of teaching and educational leadership experience in both mainstream public education and alternative education in the United States and internationally. She is passionate about exploring how to disrupt structures that perpetuate systems of oppression and address unbalanced power dynamics in home and schools so learning empowering for all children.
