CRANE RESEARCH FORUM RECAP – Black boyhood in early childhood education

November 2023

Childhood play is foundational to early childhood education, yet, Black boyhood play is criminalized in and beyond early childhood classrooms. Research studies suggest that early childhood educators’ stereotypes and biases of Black boys inform how they view their play styles and behaviors. These stereotypes and biases often lead to exclusionary discipline practices, namely Black boys’ removal from play opportunities in early childhood classrooms.

In this presentation, Dr. Nathaniel Bryan, associate professor of early childhood education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at The University of Texas-Austin, addresses the challenges Black boys face during play and recreation. Additionally, researchers, practitioners, and childhood advocates develop a critical understanding of Black boyhood play and learn strategies to better support Black boys’ play styles, behaviors, and experiences in and beyond early childhood classrooms.

Dr. Bryan’s work focuses on investigating three interrelated research ideas: (1) the constructed identities and teaching styles of Black male teachers in early childhood education; (2) the lived schooling, critical literacy development, and Black boyhood play; and (3) teacher preparation for urban early childhood education to better address the needs of Black boys.

A curated list of children’s books celebrating Black boyhood from Dr. Bryan

I am Every Good Thing
by Derrick Barnes

Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood
by Kwame Mbalia

Crown: an Ode to the Fresh Cut
by Derrick Barnes

The King of Kindergarten
by Derrick Barnes

Jabari Jumps
by Gaia Cornwall

Jabari Tries
by Gaia Cornwall

All Because You Matter
by Tami Charles

Cape
by Kevin Johnson

As Brave as You
by Jason Reynolds

When Langston Dances
by Kaija Langley

Black Boy Magic
by Tex Stanly

Dragons in a Bag
by Zetta Elliott

Resources

Toward a BlackBoyCrit Pedagogy
Black Boys, Male Teachers, and Early Childhood Classroom Practices

 

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20% Discount Available – enter the code EFL03 at checkout* (*code expires on 12/31/23)

Revolutionary Love for Early Childhood Classrooms
Nurturing the Brilliance of Young Black Children

 

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Use the link above for the discounted rate (25% off).

References

  1. Bryan, N. (2021). Toward a Blackboycrit pedagogy: Black boys, male teachers, and early childhood classroom practices. Routledge
  2. Curry, T. (2017). Man-Not: Race, class, genre, and the dilemma of Black manhood. Temple University Press.
  3. Dumas, M., & Nelson, J. (2016). Reimagining Black boyhood: Toward a critical framework for educational research. Harvard Educational Review, 86(1), 27-27.
  4. Hartman, S. S. (2007). Lose your mother. Farrar.
  5. Jenkins, D. (2021). The unspoken grammar of place: Anti-Blackness as a spatial imaginary in education. Journal of School Leadership, 31(1-2), 107-126.
  6. To see the decolonizing syllabi (mentioned by Dr. Bryan and link shared by Dr. Donna Ford), click here.