Early Risers Podcast

15/11/2023

This Thanksgiving, let's challenge traditional narratives, teaching our children a deeper understanding of Native American history.

🌽 On Part 2 of the eye-opening workshop by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, you'll learn about Thanksgiving through Indigenous eyes, while discovering the Haudenosaunee worldview on thanksgiving and delve into the profound understanding of horticulture and ecology.

🌎 This professional development series, originally aired in November 2020, reached over 700 teachers in the United States and around the world. Let's continue the conversation and broaden our perspectives.

https://youtu.be/mJuesx5bURQ

This online resource was a 2-part series of professional development delivered live to more than 700 teachers in the United States and around the world taki...

14/08/2023

Thanks to all who came out last week to Minnesota Public Radio for the screening and discussion of the documentary, Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years.

If you missed the film screening and conversation around the award-winning film, check out our enlightening discussion on anti-bias education.

Our featured guest speakers in this conversation are:

Debbie LeeKeenan - Film producer, lecturer, consultant, author and anti-bias education and early childhood expert.

Dianne Haulcy - Host, Early Risers Podcast, President and CEO, The Family Partnership.

The film features vignettes of anti-bias strategies in early childhood classrooms. By taking viewers into diverse early childhood classrooms, the film seeks to demonstrate the importance of teacher reflection on identity, context, and practice in anti-bias education.

https://youtu.be/hmePARxWgvE

Little Moments Count

Join us for a conversation about the award-winning film Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years, followed by a conversation with the fil...

07/08/2023

What does anti-bias education in the classroom look like?

Check out the award winning film Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years, for free, here: https://www.antibiasleadersece.com/the-film-reflecting-on-anti-bias-education-in-action/

To join a discussion on anti-bias education with filmmaker Debbie LeeKeenan, check out the event here: https://fb.me/e/1n1JhGSvi

07/08/2023

We're so excited filmmaker and author Debbie LeeKeenan is coming to Minnesota to host a conversation around the award winning film on anti-bias education in the classroom, Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years.

Register for the zoom event or join in-person. Event details here:
https://fb.me/e/1n1JhGSvi

Watch the film's trailer here:
https://vimeo.com/filizefe/abetrailer

What does it look like when you put equity at the heart of what you do? “Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early…

04/08/2023

Friday book recommendation! Check out the bilingual book Hasta Las Rodillas by Grace Lin!

“Hasta las rodillas! / Up to my knees!”, written and illustrated by Grace Lin is a bilingual board book, great for helping your child learn about math concepts. The main character, Mei, plants a seed and watches it grow, from her toes, to her knees, and beyond! The text in this book is in English and Spanish, great for encouraging bilingualism in your little ones. This book is suitable for ages 3 months and up!

02/08/2023

The film Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years discusses ways to implement anti-bias education.

Anti-bias education is an approach to teaching and learning designed to increase understanding of differences and their value to a respectful and civil society and to actively challenge bias, stereotyping and all forms of discrimination in schools and communities.

There is no “one way” to implement anti-bias education. The film lays out four anti-bias goals help guide the work:

Goal 1: Identity: Demonstrate self-awareness, confidence, family pride, and positive social identities.

Goal 2: Diversity: Express comfort and joy with human diversity; accurate language for human differences; and deep, caring human connections.

Goal 3: Justice: Recognize unfairness, have language to describe unfairness, and understand that unfairness hurts.

Goal 4: Action: Demonstrate empowerment and the skills to act, with others or alone, against prejudice and/or discrimination.

Learn more here:

The Film: Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years

31/07/2023

Check out the award-winning film, Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years (48 minutes), produced by Debbie LeeKeenan and John Nimmo, which features vignettes of anti-bias strategies in early childhood classrooms interspersed with teachers reflecting on their practice.

By taking viewers into diverse early childhood classrooms, the film seeks to demonstrate the importance of teacher reflection on identity, context, and practice in anti-bias education and provides a much-needed resource for teacher education and professional development.

The film has received numerous awards including the Silver Prize for Documentary Feature (2021) in the Social Justice Film Festival and a nomination for Northwest Regional Emmy® (2022) in the category of diversity, equity, and inclusion – long form content.

View the film, for free, at the link below and then check out the event August 8th, 2023, for a conversation with award-winning filmmaker Debbie LeeKeenan! Event details here: https://fb.me/e/1n1JhGSvi

The Film: Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years

28/07/2023

August 8th, 2023, join us for a conversation with award-winning filmmaker Debbie LeeKeenan!

Integrating Anti-bias Education into Our Thinking and Practice is a discussion, open to all, designed to provide a practical and integrated framework for anti-bias education. Event details here: https://fb.me/e/1n1JhGSvi

The Early Childhood Department at Minneapolis College is thrilled to partner with Think Small, Center for Inclusive Child Care, Little Moments Count, and Early Risers Podcast to bring you a transformative session with Co-Director of Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years, Debbie LeeKeenan.

Participants can access Debbie's award-winning film, Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years before the session, here: https://www.antibiasleadersece.com/the-film-reflecting-on-anti-bias-education-in-action/

24/07/2023

Happy Parent's Day to all the care-givers who are helping teach, love and care for kids, you are making this world a better place!

20/07/2023

19/07/2023

Check out this great kids book, A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory.

This book was written to be an introduction for kids on the topic of racism. You’ll find a clear description of what racism is, how it makes people feel when they experience it, and how to spot it when it happens.

This is one conversation that’s never too early to start.

Learn more and check out the other great books from A Kids Company About at https://akidsco.com/

17/07/2023

Have you checked out the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast?!

It's all about hearing from early childhood experts on the importance of the first 1000 days of life of a child.

On this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Marilyn Zimmerman of the National Native Children's Trauma Center, as she discusses the value of incorporating traditional Indigenous healing methods and ceremonies alongside modern, evidence-based treatment to address trauma in Native American and Alaskan Native communities. You don't want to miss it!

Cultural heritage plays an important role in healing from intergenerational and historical trauma. Our guest on this Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, Dr. Marilyn Zimmerman of the National Native Children's Trauma Center, discusses the value of incorporating traditional Indigenous healing methods and ceremonies alongside modern, evidence-based treatment to address trauma in Native American and Alaskan Native communities. Hear more about this approach at https://youtu.be/_4-SSELHXJI.

13/07/2023

With a 4.9 out of 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts, Early Risers Podcast is captivating listeners from all walks of life. Check out the great reviews from our listeners: parents, grandparents, teachers, and anyone who cares about raising children with a clear-eyed understanding of cultural differences, race and implicit bias.

Early Risers is more than just a podcast – it's a guide for nurturing children with an open mind and a keen awareness of the world's diversity.

Ready to be part of the Early Risers community? Listen, rate, and subscribe to this exceptional podcast wherever you prefer to get your podcasts. Don't miss out!

Subscribe now! Early Risers is a podcast from Little Moments Count and MPR with frank facts, engaging stories and real how-tos for anyone who cares about raising children with a clear-eyed understanding of cultural differences, race and implicit bias. Hosted by Dianne Haulcy, President and CEO at Th...

11/07/2023

Are you seeking guidance on initiating meaningful conversations with your child about race and diversity?

Do you have a question, insightful experience, or heartwarming personal story about talking with young children about race?

Now you can connect with Early Risers Podcast and be a part of a conversation that matters.

Dial 651-290-1363, and leave a voice message with your story or question and your voice might just be featured on an upcoming episode of the Early Risers Podcast! Feel free to leave your name or remain anonymous if you wish.

We can't wait to hear your stories and questions. Let's make a difference together!

07/07/2023

Friday book recommendation!

Ka’s Garden (Kab Lub Vaj), written in English by Maggie Lee McHugh and Hmong by Dr. Bee Lo, is a beautiful bilingual children’s book with a pronunciation guide. Readers count animals that interact with the garden while learning about important Hmong beliefs surrounding gardening. This book is best suited for ages 3 and up!

Ka’s Garden (Kab Lub Vaj), written in English by Maggie Lee McHugh and Hmong by Dr. Bee Lo, is a beautiful bilingual children’s book with a pronunciation guide. Readers count animals that interact with the garden while learning about important Hmong beliefs surrounding gardening. This book is best suited for ages 3 and up!

06/07/2023

Check out Early Risers' host, Dianne Haulcy on Off The Charts, a podcast from Health Partners. Dianne joins the show to talk about how your family can talk to your kids about race and racism. Listen to the episode, Cultural Identity and Concepts of Race in Early Childhood Development here:

Dianne Haulcy is president and CEO at The Family Partnership and host of Early Risers, a podcast from Little Moments Count and Minnesota Public Radio. She joins the show to share what led her to pursue childhood education, how families can talk to kids about race and racism, and how the two podcasts...

03/07/2023

5 Things to Know if You Love a Mixed-Race Kid, an action guide from EmbraceRace

"While being a person of multiracial or “mixed” background can be highly idiosyncratic, there are some common themes across experiences. Knowing some of these commonalities can provide support to parents, family members, teachers and others who want to understand what mixed-kids in a racially obsessed society might go through."

While being a person of multiracial or “mixed” background can be highly idiosyncratic, there are some commonthemes across experiences. Here are a few of those commonalities.

30/06/2023

Friday book recommendation! “Just Like a Mama”, written by Alice Faye Duncan, is a sweet story that celebrates the heart connection between adopted children and their forever family.

“Just Like a Mama”, written by Alice Faye Duncan, is a sweet story that celebrates the heart connection between adopted children and their forever family. In the shadow of Mother’s Day, this is a wonderful story to read aloud with an adopted child or when celebrating different types of families with your children. This book is suitable for ages 3 and up!

28/06/2023

🎙️ Introducing Early Risers' New Call Line! 📞

Do you want to share your experiences on talking to young children about race? Do you have a question about how to navigate talking about race?

Call in and share your burning questions, your personal stories, and those 'aha' moments when teaching your little ones about the beauty of diversity.

Your stories, your questions, your triumphs, they all matter. We've created a safe space to discuss the importance of raising children who embrace inclusivity and understand the value of every human being.

You can choose to leave your name or remain anonymous. Any audio shared may be used in future show materials.

Join the conversation and become a part of the Early Risers community that's making a positive impact. Dial 651-290-1363, and let your voice be heard.

26/06/2023

Check out the book Mothering While Black!

Mothering While Black examines the complex lives of the African American middle class—in particular, black mothers and the strategies they use to raise their children to maintain class status while simultaneously defining and protecting their children’s “authentically black” identities.

Sociologist Dawn Marie Dow shows how the frameworks typically used to research middle-class families focus on white mothers’ experiences, inadequately capturing the experiences of African American middle- and upper-middle-class mothers. These limitations become apparent when Dow considers how these mothers apply different parenting strategies for black boys and for black girls, and how they navigate different expectations about breadwinning and childrearing from the African American community.

Mothering While Black examines the complex lives of the African American middle class—in particular, black mothers and the strategies they use to raise their children to maintain class status while simultaneously defining and protecting their children’s “authentically black” identities.

22/06/2023

In the latest Early Risers episode, Dianne is joined by professor of psychology Dr. Richard Lee. Together, they discuss the parenting stories featured in Season Four, including the challenges, joys, and unique experiences that come with raising children in today's world.

Dr. Lee offers valuable insights and guidance on how parents can effectively discuss race and racism with their young children and provide essential tools to foster understanding, empathy, and inclusivity within families. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at: https://www.mpr.org/episodes/2023/06/14/parent-highlights-with-dr-richard-lee

19/06/2023

Miniapple is in session today. Please contact the school if your child will not be in attendance. Resources for families:

💻 Download Ashley Causey-Golden’s Juneteenth Joy and Sensory Activity Packs: afrocentricmontessori.com/black-history-activity-packs

📚 Read children’s books about Juneteenth:
From Here Wee Read: bookshop.org/lists/juneteenth-books
From The Conscious Kid: theconsciouskid.org/juneteenth
From Black Children's Books and Authors: bcbooksandauthors.com/happy-juneteenth-12-fiction-and-nonfiction-books/

💰 Donate to the Anti-Racist Children’s Books Education Fund: theconsciouskid.org/donate

📖 Read Britt Hawthorne’s Raising Antiracist Children Parenting Guide: britthawthorne.com/raising-antiracist-children-a-practical-guide-to-parenting/

🎧 Listen to Early Risers Podcasts on raising children with an understanding of cultural differences, race and implicit bias, and how to navigate conversations with children about race and racism: littlemomentscount.org/earlyriserspodcast

🛒 Shop Black-owned businesses with your child: mnblackbusiness.com/

19/06/2023

As parents, we play a crucial role in shaping our children's understanding of the world around them. One important topic not to shy away from is race and ethnicity. Here's why having open conversations about these subjects with our children is vital:

1️⃣ Early Formation: From a young age, children begin to develop their ideas about race and ethnicity. By engaging in meaningful discussions, we can help them shape positive and inclusive attitudes toward different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

2️⃣ Primary Source: As parents and family members, we are the primary influencers in our children's lives. They look up to us and learn from our actions and words. By openly talking about race and ethnicity, we become the main source of education and guidance for our little ones.

3️⃣ Direct and Indirect Messages: Children absorb information from various sources. Our conversations provide direct messages about race, but they also learn indirectly through the images and media they encounter. By engaging in dialogue, we can help them critically analyze these messages and develop a well-rounded perspective.

4️⃣ Silence Speaks Volumes: It's essential to recognize that not discussing race and ethnicity with our children sends a message too. Our silence may inadvertently communicate that these topics are uncomfortable or taboo. By initiating conversations, we show our children that we value diversity and are open to learning together.

Educating ourselves is equally important. For valuable resources on how to navigate these conversations, visit https://www.mpr.org/collections/early-risers.

Subscribe now! Early Risers is a podcast from Little Moments Count and MPR with frank facts, engaging stories and real how-tos for anyone who cares about raising children with a clear-eyed understanding of cultural differences, race and implicit bias. Hosted by Dianne Haulcy, President and CEO at Th...

16/06/2023

Join us as we explore stories from Minnesota-based parents, featured in season four of the Early Risers Podcast.

On this episode, host Dianne Haulcy is joined by professor of psychology and director of the Asian American Studies program at the University of Minnesota Dr. Richard Lee. Together they share valuable insights to help parents discuss race and racism with the young children in their lives.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at: https://www.mpr.org/episodes/2023/06/14/parent-highlights-with-dr-richard-lee

14/06/2023

New Episode Alert!

Tune in to the latest episode of Early Risers Podcast: Parent Highlights with Dr. Richard Lee

Join Dianne as she welcomes Dr. Richard Lee, a distinguished professor of psychology and director of the Asian American Studies program at the University of Minnesota, for an incredible discussion on parenting stories featured in season four.

Dianne and Dr. Lee share invaluable insights to help parents navigate conversations about race and racism with their young children. It's an essential episode that empowers parents to create a safe and inclusive environment for their little ones.

Listen to the Parent Highlights episode with Dr. Richard Lee on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and at https://www.mpr.org/episodes/2023/06/14/parent-highlights-with-dr-richard-lee

In this episode, Dianne is joined by Dr. Richard Lee, a distinguished professor of psychology and director of the Asian American Studies program at the University of Minnesota. Together, they explore some of the parenting stories featured in season four of Early Risers. Dianne and Dr. Lee also share...

12/06/2023

Do you tell your kid something is 'racist' or 'mean'? The answer may depend on your race:

"While many Black and Hispanic parents talk to their children about racial discrimination before they start school and explicitly teach the concept of racism, white families are far less likely to broach the topic and shy away from identifying racism. The absence of these conversations could make it difficult for white children to identify racism and intervene in situations where it exists, experts say."

New research shows stark differences in how parents talk about race with kids

09/06/2023

Roughly one in seven U.S. infants are multiracial or multiethnic, but what does it mean to be multiracial?

Check out this conversation about raising multiracial kids about some of the complexities of identifying with more than one race, and about the pivotal role families play in shaping how multiracial children come to understand themselves and the world around them. This dynamic is especially complex in this historical moment as the United States comes to terms with its own White supremacist roots.

This video from EmbraceRace discusses the challenges and strengths of identifying with more than one racial group, highlighting examples from recent research, and draws from personal experiences from multiracial individuals and parents of multiracial children.


https://www.embracerace.org/resources/raising-multiracial-children-part-1-examining-multiracial-identity

A discussion about some of the complexities of identifying with more than one race, including the pivotal role caregivers and families play in shaping how multiracial children come to understand themselves and the world around them.

07/06/2023

Join us on the latest episode of Early Risers, where we dive deep into the parenting journey of Ayan Omar, a Somali American mother living in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Ayan shares her invaluable strategy of providing her daughters with a "backpack of responses" that equips them with the tools to navigate complex questions about their race, religion, and culture.

This approach not only validates their humanity but also enables them to engage with others confidently and authentically.

Available wherever you get your podcasts or at https://www.mpr.org/episodes/2023/05/31/parenting-through-race-and-identity-a-somali-american-mothers-story

05/06/2023

On the latest Early Risers episode we hear from Ayan Omar, a Somali-American mother who shares her approach to empowering her biracial children in the face of complex conversations about race, religion, and culture. She provides her daughters with a "backpack of responses" to help them navigate questions about their multi-layered identities. This approach not only validates their humanity but also equips them with the tools to engage others confidently and authentically.

Tune in to the podcast to learn more about Ayan's inspiring journey and the importance of nurturing multicultural identities in young children. Available wherever you get your podcasts or at https://www.mpr.org/episodes/2023/05/31/parenting-through-race-and-identity-a-somali-american-mothers-story 🌍💕

In this episode of Early Risers, we delve into the parenting journey of Ayan Omar, a Somali American mother living in St. Cloud, Minnesota with her husband and two young daughters. As an in*******al and interfaith couple, Ayan and her husband have faced unique challenges in raising their children.

02/06/2023

In Season 4 of Early Risers, we're delving into the experiences of Minnesota parents and their discussions about race and racism with their children. Episode 5 takes you on a journey through the parenting experiences of Ayan Omar, a Somali American mother residing in St. Cloud, Minnesota, alongside her husband and two young daughters.

As an in*******al and interfaith couple, Ayan and her husband have encountered unique challenges in nurturing their children.
Drawing from her upbringing in a predominantly Black community, Ayan sheds light on her distinctive parenting approach and how it shapes her daughters' understanding of the world around them. Her story is one of resilience, growth, and the power of open dialogue.

Join host Dianne Haulcy in a heartfelt conversation with Ayan as she opens up about her profound experiences and the strategies she employs to navigate crucial conversations about race and racism with her daughters.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at: https://www.mpr.org/episodes/2023/05/31/parenting-through-race-and-identity-a-somali-american-mothers-story

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31/05/2023

Early Risers season 4, episode 5 is out today!

🌍 Join us on the as we explore an insightful and inspiring topic: "Parenting Through Race and Identity: A Somali American Mother's Story." 🤝💫

In this episode, we have the honor of hearing from Ayan Omar, a remarkable Somali American mother residing in St. Cloud, Minnesota, alongside her husband and two young daughters. As an in*******al and interfaith couple, Ayan and her husband have encountered unique hurdles on their parenting journey. 🌈👨‍👩‍👧‍👧

Hosted by the incredible Dianne Haulcy, this conversation delves deep into Ayan's experiences and the conversations she has with her daughters about race and racism. Discover how her upbringing in a predominantly Black community has shaped her approach to parenting and instilling a strong sense of identity in her children. 💪🏽🌟

Join us as we unpack:

🔸 The challenges Ayan and her husband face as an in*******al and interfaith couple.
🔸 How Ayan navigates discussions about race and racism with her daughters.
🔸 The role of cultural heritage and community in shaping Ayan's parenting approach.

Don't miss out on this powerful conversation that sheds light on the intricacies of parenting through race and identity. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform! 🎙️✨ Or listen at: https://www.mpr.org/episodes/2023/05/31/parenting-through-race-and-identity-a-somali-american-mothers-story

In this episode of Early Risers, we delve into the parenting journey of Ayan Omar, a Somali American mother living in St. Cloud, Minnesota with her husband and two young daughters. As an in*******al and interfaith couple, Ayan and her husband have faced unique challenges in raising their children.

30/05/2023

Myth #5 of talking to young kids about race: if you live in a white community, you don't need to talk abut race.

🏢Living in a predominantly white community or sending your kids to an all-white pre-school doesn't exempt you from having crucial conversations about diversity and inclusion. Here's why it's crucial to talk to your kids, regardless of their surroundings.🌍

🤔👉 Understanding the World: Our world is a rich tapestry of diverse cultures, races, and perspectives. By initiating conversations about diversity with our children, we open their eyes to the beautiful diversity that exists beyond their immediate surroundings. This understanding helps them become compassionate global citizens who appreciate and respect different backgrounds.

🚫✋ Tackling Bias and Prejudice: Ignorance and prejudice can creep into any community, regardless of its racial makeup. Having open discussions about diversity equips our children with the tools to identify and challenge stereotypes, biases, and discrimination. They can grow up to be allies, actively working against discrimination in all its forms.

🌍🔎 Broadening Their Perspective: Exposing our children to diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives helps broaden their horizons. By discussing differences, we encourage empathy and teach them to embrace others with kindness and understanding. This perspective will shape them into inclusive individuals who appreciate and celebrate our world's beautiful mosaic.

🙌💪 Nurturing Self-Confidence: Children who grow up aware of their own identities and those of others tend to have higher self-esteem and confidence. Talking about diversity teaches them that their identity matters and that they should be proud of who they are. They also learn that everyone's uniqueness deserves respect, fostering a positive self-image and strong self-worth.

🌟🤝 Building Inclusive Communities: The responsibility to build inclusive communities doesn't lie solely with marginalized groups. By discussing diversity with our children, we raise a generation that actively works towards equality and justice. Our kids can contribute to creating spaces where everyone feels valued, appreciated, and included, regardless of their race or background.

📣🌈 Let's Start Talking: Regardless of where we live or the environment our children grow up in, discussing diversity is crucial. It empowers them to understand and appreciate the rich tapestry of humanity, challenge bias, and actively work towards building a more inclusive and harmonious world. Let's open our hearts and minds, and initiate these conversations for a brighter future. Together, we can make a difference! ✨💙

For more information and tips to talk to your kids about race, visit: https://www.mpr.org/collections/early-risers/