During a reading of Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, a children’s book about a father learning to style his daughter’s hair, a child in a YWCA Minneapolis preschool classroom made an observation: “Dads don’t do hair, only moms can do hair.”
Another child explained that her Nani did her hair every day. A third chimed in that her dad sometimes did her hair, but could only do a ponytail.
The teacher then asked the children about the people they lived with and who helped them get ready each morning. They talked about the many ways families can look. Some children live with a mom and dad, others with one parent, and others with two dads or two moms, or a grandparent.
What began as a conversation about hair became an opportunity to affirm something important: Every family is different, and every family is special.
It’s a small moment, but it illustrates how children begin to understand belonging. By sharing their own experiences and hearing those of their classmates, children learn that their families are valued, even when they look different from someone else’s.
“Young children are naturally curious about the world around them,” says Stephanie Thomas, vice president of Early Childhood Education at YWCA Minneapolis. “Sometimes their questions catch adults off guard, but those are the conversations we want to have. When we encourage open dialogue with children, when we encourage their curiosity, we help them become more confident in exploring new ideas and experiences.”
An approach developed in Minneapolis
In 2021, the organization published Anti-Bias Curriculum for the Preschool Classroom through Redleaf Press, sharing teaching strategies developed through years of experience in its own early childhood classrooms.
Teachers use books, imaginative play, conversations, and the inevitable disagreements that arise when young children spend their days together.
A comment during story time can lead to a conversation about family structures. A disagreement over a toy can become a lesson in fairness. A question about someone’s appearance can open the door to learning about different cultures.
The idea isn’t to tell children what to think. It’s to help them ask questions, understand other perspectives and develop a positive sense of who they are.
Learning that kindness is something you do
YWCA Minneapolis builds on these ideas through its We Care Social Responsibility Curriculum, which introduces toddlers and preschoolers to identity, diversity, justice and taking action.
The activities are hands-on. Children make toys and treats for animals in shelters and decorate bags and placemats for Meals on Wheels recipients. These aren’t simply craft projects. They’re opportunities for children to practice empathy and discover that their actions can have an impact.
These lessons carry beyond the projects themselves. They show up when a child invites someone new to play or begins to understand why another family celebrates different traditions.
For YWCA Minneapolis, that’s the purpose of bringing anti-bias education into early childhood classrooms. Preschoolers learn to listen to one another and see that their own experiences aren’t the only ones that matter.
Sometimes, it all starts with a picture book and a conversation about who does your hair.
A Special Enrollment Offer for Sahan Journal Readers
YWCA Minneapolis is extending its one-week-free enrollment promotion through December 31, 2026, for Sahan Journal readers.
Families who enroll by December 31, 2026 can receive one week of free tuition at a YWCA Minneapolis Early Childhood Education center.
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