Black boyhood in early childhood education

Each month’s Crane Research Forum features research on emerging or key topics affecting children. These events are free and open to all, but registration is required.

Dr. Nathaniel Bryan is an associate professor of early childhood education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at The University of Texas-Austin

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. Dr. Nathaniel Bryan will address the challenges Black boys face during play and recreation. Additionally, researchers, practitioners, and childhood advocates will develop a critical understanding of Black boyhood play and will learn strategies to better support Black boys’ play styles, behaviors, and experiences in and beyond early childhood classrooms.

Dr. Bryan 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. Dr. Bryan is also the author of the book, Toward a BlackboyCrit Pedagogy: Black boys, male teachers, and early childhood classroom practices.

*Live captioning will be provided. If you would like to request other accommodations, please contact Cathy Kupsky (kupsky.3@osu.edu). Requests made two weeks before the event will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the university will make every effort to meet requests made after this date.