As I awakened this year on a bitter cold Colorado morning on the holiday of Tu B’Shevat with an image of Israel’s blossoming almond trees in my mind, I marveled at the beauty of the trees outside my window here in Colorado sporting their frost encrusted branches. Trees in every season bring us such a bounty of blessings year-round.

We often share the story of Honi and the carob tree on Tu B’Shevat, where he plants a tree knowing full well that he will not be around to benefit from the fruit it bears 70 years later. The story sends a message that sometimes what we do today, we do for the generations that follow. As our community continues its journey of exploring the intricacies of Anti-Bias Education, I feel a connection to this message. In supporting our early childhood educators and leaders around translating the four goals of identity, diversity, justice, and activism into everyday practice with infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children the same is true – the small shifts we make in consciously creating environments where all children feel visible and seen, where positive messages are woven into opportunities for noticing how we are the same and different, where authentic discussion around fairness and unfairness are welcomed, and where children are empowered to take action when unfairness is identified, is a long term investment. We lay the groundwork by countering stereotypes and biased messages about gender, race, socio-economic status, etc. that children absorb from society with a hope that they will grow into adults who contribute to creating a more just and equitable world in the future. Honi, in the story of the carob tree, was known as “The Circle Maker.” When rain was needed during a drought, he would draw a circle, step inside of it and pray until his prayers were answered. He was seen as something of a miracle worker. I don’t believe we need a miracle to change the world. I believe that early childhood educators have the power to help lay the foundation with children and families and I encourage us all in an active pursuit of continued learning in this area.

To access recordings of the conference sessions related to unpacking the four goals of Anti-Bias Education, follow these links: Unpacking Goals One and Two: Identity and Diversity and Unpacking Goals Three and Four: Justice and Activism. Looking to read up on identity development and ways to support positive attitudes around diversity? Here are some resources and HERE are resources related to addressing fairness and activism with young children.