Sometimes, innovation means recognizing and acknowledging when an approach needs to be refined and expanded in order to reflect new understandings about ourselves and society.

There are two central issues that must be addressed when counseling multiracial and multiethnic children in the United States. The first is that, although the United States is fixated on race, only single-race group membership is recognized. The second issue is that multiracial children growing up in the United States experience a variety of cues…

Suggests ways for early childhood programs to analyze the degree to which their parties, festivals, and celebrations are consistent with early childhood theory and research, and with good practice. Provides suggestions for increased integration of multicultural activities into the overall curriculum. (DR)

This paper focuses on differences in Brazil and the United States in attitudes toward multiracial and multiethnic children and developmentally appropriate practice in education and child rearing. Child rearing in Brazil is characterized by a generally permissive approach with a high degree of patience, although parent-child relationships among the…

This article discusses how multiracial and multicultural families help children to develop a self identity. The roles parents, teachers and classmates play in responding to this issue are discussed and suggestions for promoting individual development are made. (JL)

Encourages Head Start programs to use parental involvement and communication to support multiracial and multiethnic children by listening to parents, providing information, and welcoming the family. Lists specific areas to address in supporting diversity and dealing with common problems. (SD)

The traditional model of multicultural education views the child as the product of culture. Proposes an alternate model that focuses on the unique set of experiences each child brings to school. The alternate model includes factors (race, culture, gender, and disability) considered in traditional multicultural models plus several additional…

Schools often ignore the existence and special concerns of multiracial and multiethnic students, whose numbers are increasing faster than those of monoracial children. Serving these students requires changing teacher education, recording heritage sensitively, assessing formal and informal curricula, revising ethnic and racial celebrations,…

Presents five articles on multi-language programs in early childhood education: "Bilingualism/Multilingualism and Language Acquisition Theories" (Evienia Papadaki-D'Onofrio); "Training and Supporting Caregivers Who Speak a Language Different from Those in Their Community" (Joan Matsalia and Paula Bowie); "Language Immersion Programs for Young…

This article discusses characteristics of biracial children, identifies pressures facing interracial families, notes societal myths about interracial families, and considers identity development of the biracial child. Fifteen specific teaching strategies for supporting biracial children in school settings are suggested. (DB)

Addresses the needs of preschool children whose biological parents come from two or more traditional racial/ethnic groups. Advocates the extension of multiracial curriculum in early childhood programs to support and embrace these multiracial and multiethnic children. Recommends staff training, providing new classroom materials, working closely…

This book is designed to assist parents and teachers to sincerely and positively support the healthy development of diverse, biracial and biethnic children. The book's purpose is also to extend the concept of diversity and multicultural education to include the unique needs, histories, and experiences of interracial and interethnic families and…

Discusses ways early childhood professionals can meet the identity needs of biracial children and their parents. Suggests school and class activity experiences to support biracial children. (BB)