Promising Practices
Nurturing educational joy for young boys of color
Photo courtesy of Unity Council
The early learning field as a whole routinely fails to build upon the strengths of young children of color and to adequately serve their needs. African American children and their families specifically – and all children of color – are considered “at risk” by policy makers, educators, and the media rather than “placed at risk” by a system that has historically viewed them from a deficit paradigm (Boykin, 2013).
Jump to the Tools
Oakland Starting Smart and Strong’s Boys of Color Workgroup identifies, recommends, and supports the development of effective practices, programs and policies for people working with young boys of color. We work in close partnership with families, practitioners and content experts to build and pilot a set of practices that address institutional racism in early learning settings, and create strength-based environments that are responsive to the brilliance, interests and promise of our diverse boys of color.
New Resource in Early Learning for Black Boys: Action Toolkit
In 2021, the Boys of Color workgroup worked with educators and researchers to develop 10 Promising Practices in Early Learning for Black Boys: Action Toolkit. This new resource is now available to educators in preschool classrooms and programs who are looking for background materials and tips for improving early learning outcomes for Black boys. The idea for the Action Toolkit was sparked by participants in last year’s 10 Promising Practices workshop who asked for more guidance on using the practices in early learning classrooms and programs.
Other Resources and Findings from the Boys of Color Workgroup
The Boys of Color Workgroup began its work by identifying a common set of indicators for young children in Oakland, ranging from reading proficiency to asthma to family income, including those indicators that revealed the greatest disparities for boys of color. Then, based on feedback from parents, community members, and practitioners, and building on the strengths present in our community, the workgroup identified 10 Promising Practices in Early Learning for Boys of Color.
In 2019, the workgroup developed the Promising Practices Portfolio: Strategies for Supporting Boys of Color and their Families for Improved Early Years Outcomes.
This portfolio highlights innovative work in Oakland that is nurturing educational joy and success for all children, particularly young boys of color, in two major areas: family engagement and trauma-informed practices.
For each agency highlighted, the Portfolio includes a description of:
The Portfolio is designed for anyone interested in re-imagining what it means to support and engage with boys of color and their families, especially families living in poverty or with trauma, including the trauma inflicted by racism.
These practices also informed the development of a pilot workshop to support equity in practice in early learning. Read more about the workshops that were piloted in November 2020.
Jump to the Tools
- Action Toolkit: Promising Practices in Early Learning for Black Boys
- Report: 10 Promising Practices in Early Learning for Boys of Color
- Portfolio: Strategies for Supporting Boys of Color and their Families for Improved Early Years Outcomes
Oakland Starting Smart and Strong’s Boys of Color Workgroup identifies, recommends, and supports the development of effective practices, programs and policies for people working with young boys of color. We work in close partnership with families, practitioners and content experts to build and pilot a set of practices that address institutional racism in early learning settings, and create strength-based environments that are responsive to the brilliance, interests and promise of our diverse boys of color.
New Resource in Early Learning for Black Boys: Action Toolkit
In 2021, the Boys of Color workgroup worked with educators and researchers to develop 10 Promising Practices in Early Learning for Black Boys: Action Toolkit. This new resource is now available to educators in preschool classrooms and programs who are looking for background materials and tips for improving early learning outcomes for Black boys. The idea for the Action Toolkit was sparked by participants in last year’s 10 Promising Practices workshop who asked for more guidance on using the practices in early learning classrooms and programs.
Other Resources and Findings from the Boys of Color Workgroup
The Boys of Color Workgroup began its work by identifying a common set of indicators for young children in Oakland, ranging from reading proficiency to asthma to family income, including those indicators that revealed the greatest disparities for boys of color. Then, based on feedback from parents, community members, and practitioners, and building on the strengths present in our community, the workgroup identified 10 Promising Practices in Early Learning for Boys of Color.
In 2019, the workgroup developed the Promising Practices Portfolio: Strategies for Supporting Boys of Color and their Families for Improved Early Years Outcomes.
This portfolio highlights innovative work in Oakland that is nurturing educational joy and success for all children, particularly young boys of color, in two major areas: family engagement and trauma-informed practices.
For each agency highlighted, the Portfolio includes a description of:
- early years outcomes that the agency aims to impact
- the service model used
- the promising practices utilized
- results that show the approach is working.
The Portfolio is designed for anyone interested in re-imagining what it means to support and engage with boys of color and their families, especially families living in poverty or with trauma, including the trauma inflicted by racism.
These practices also informed the development of a pilot workshop to support equity in practice in early learning. Read more about the workshops that were piloted in November 2020.
* Picture of several BoC Workgroup Members during a planning meeting