Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) professionals bring a wealth of cultural knowledge and perspectives to the early childhood field. Their perpectives benefit all children but also ensures that students from AANHPI backgrounds see themselves reflected in their educators and role models.
This representation helps in building a strong foundation of cultural awareness and empathy from an early age, promoting a sense of belonging and acceptance. By championing diversity-informed practice in the early childhood workforce, we lay the groundwork for a society that values and celebrates the rich tapestry of its people.
Babies and young children need connection and protection. They need safety in relationships.
Explore how our culturally-responsive programs and initiatives and making a difference for babies and families in Hawaii.
For us, the community health worker really bridged the gap where we needed to have an extra person who can speak the language, who understands the culture, who really can understand how to engage the family.
Physician Champion, HealthySteps, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, Manhattan, NY
Encouraging representation in early literacy
Books are a powerful tool for babies and toddlers to be introduced to traditional practices, beliefs, foods, and customs that enhance their understanding and appreciation for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.
By engaging with stories that feature a variety of characters, children learn empathy, cultural awareness, and see themselves represented in ways that mainstream media may not often provide.
