Learn about different cultures and modeling inclusiveness to challenge racial stereotypes from the start.
Celebrating AAPI Leaders
Aimee, Tomoko, and Katrina walk us through the intersection of their racial identities and their work and interactions as early childhood professionals.
Aimee Hilado, PhD, LCSW
Aimee is a ZERO TO THREE Fellow and the Associate Professor of Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University.
Tomoko Wakabayashi, EdD
Tomoko is a member of ZERO TO THREE’s Critical Competencies Faculty Community of Practice and the Associate Professor at the Department of Human Development and Child Services at Oakland University.
Katrina Macasaet
Katrina is lead faculty for ZERO TO THREE’s Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators™ and part of the Professional Development and Workforce Innovations department at ZERO TO THREE.
Find out more about ZERO TO THREE’s Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler EducatorsTM and how you can support racial equity and diversity in your program.
Resources for Parents and Professionals
For Parents
- 5 Activities to Recognize and Celebrate Asian Heritage With Toddlers
From origami to learning to cook different foods, explore and teach little ones about Asian cultures. - Using Stories to Nurture Identity
What do young children understand about their identity? How can parents help them construct a positive self-identity? Read for tips and tools. - Who Am I? Sharing Picture Books that Nurture Positive Self-Identity
Stories that represent their own experiences. These read-aloud favorites tell children that their lives are worthy of being thought about, discussed and celebrated.
For Professionals
- ZERO TO THREE Journal Vol 39 No 3: Identity and Belonging in Early Childhood Settings
Who am I? Where do I fit? These are universal questions central to the experience of being human. It’s not surprising that the roots of identity can be found in early childhood. - Critical Connections Leaflets
Thirteen leaflets illustrate real life moments shared by caregiver and child that encourage caring, nurturing, and fun. Becoming Me! Becoming We! explores our little one’s sense of identity and belonging. - Addressing Inequities in Education: Considerations for Asian American Children and Youth in the Era of COVID-19
Systemic racism and the potential exacerbating effects of COVID-19 directly affect racial-ethnic minority children and their families.
