Early Risers

Children begin learning about race, identity and belonging long before adults may realize it, even when the adults around them avoid those conversations. In this episode, host Dianne Haulcy talks with Dr. Iheoma Iruka, professor and founding director of the Equity Research Action Coalition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, about how children develop their understanding of who they are, where they belong and how they recognize fairness and injustice. Dr. Iruka shares her own experiences growing up as a Nigerian American and explains why a strong sense of identity and belonging is an important part of children’s social, emotional and cognitive development. She explores how bias can show up in early childhood classrooms, from books and curriculum to assessments and expectations of children, and why educators need to recognize and build on the cultural strengths children bring with them. Together, they discuss racial socialization, the limitations of a colorblind approach and practical ways parents and educators can create environments where children see themselves and others as valued, capable and worthy of belonging.GuestIheoma U. Iruka, Ph.D., is an award-winning tenured professor in the Department of Maternal and Child Health at the Gillings School of Global Public Health and the founding director of the Equity Research Action Coalition at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Iruka leads projects and initiatives focused on ensuring that minoritized children and families, especially Black children and those from low-income households, thrive by attending to their sociocultural assets and racialized contexts. Dr. Iruka has authored more than 100 books and papers and has given more than 300 talks addressing systemic inequities and advancing research and action on the well-being of children and families. She has served on numerous national and local boards and committees, including the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the American Psychological Association, the National Science Foundation and the Lancet Commission on Racism and Child Health.Discussion GuideEpisode ResourcesDr. Iheoma Iruka’s Research and Equity Initiatives – Learn more about Dr. Iruka's research and initiatives focused on improving opportunities and outcomes for Black children and families. Her work includes examining implicit bias in early childhood education, supporting culturally responsive teaching practices, strengthening school-family partnerships, and advancing equity for Black infants and toddlers.Ages & Stages: A Caregiver’s Guide to Supporting Children’s Racial Learning from Embrace Race – A free guide that helps parents and caregivers understand how children learn about race from infancy through early adolescence. It explains what children notice at different ages and offers practical activities and conversation strategies to help them develop a healthy sense of racial identity, belonging, and respect for others. Available in English and Spanish.Understanding Anti-Bias Education: Bringing the Four Core Goals to Every Facet of Your Curriculum from National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – A resource for early childhood educators on creating classrooms where all children feel seen, respected, and valued. It explores four goals of anti-bias education — identity, diversity, justice, and activism — and offers guidance on incorporating children's cultures, languages, families and experiences into everyday learning.Talking to Children About Racial Bias from American Academy of Pediatrics – A practical resource for parents and caregivers on discussing race and racism with children in age-appropriate ways. It explains how children begin to notice racial differences and develop biases early in life, and offers strategies for recognizing adults' own biases, answering children's questions and helping children challenge stereotypes and discrimination.

When the world feels uncertain, children look to the adults they trust for answers. But what happens when the people children are taught to see as "helpers" don't always make them feel safe? Dianne Haulcy sits down with Emma Swift Lee, director of the Fred Rogers Institute, to explore how caregivers can have honest, age-appropriate conversations about race, fear and safety. Together they discuss why children need truthful answers and how simple, reassuring conversations can help them make sense of difficult events while preserving hope. Inspired by Fred Rogers' work, Emma shares practical strategies for talking with young children about scary news, redefining what it means to be a helper and reminding every child that they are loved, valued and worthy just as they are.GuestEmma Swift Lee is the Director of the Fred Rogers Institute at Saint Vincent College, where she works with educators and caregivers to support the interactions and relationships that help children grow and learn. Emma and her colleagues are continually learning from Fred Rogers' legacy and practical scholarship in child development in order to develop professional learning and community-building opportunities for children's helpers. Before joining the institute, Emma worked at the RAND Corporation as a policy analyst. Her work included research, evaluation and technical assistance for projects in early childhood and K-12 education in both rural and urban settings. She holds an Ed.M. in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University and a B.A. in Psychology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Discussion GuideEpisode ResourcesFred Rogers Institute – Practical tools, articles, and videos for helping children navigate difficult conversations, emotions, and challenging current events.Fred Rogers Productions – Parenting resources, free family activities and conversation starters focused on emotions, kindness, empathy and building resilience.Sesame Workshop: See Us Coming Together – Age-appropriate resources that help families talk about race, identity, belonging and community through stories and activities.PBS KIDS for Parents – Activities and conversation starters about feelings, kindness, community and current events.

When immigration raids and stories of racial profiling make headlines, young children notice. They hear conversations, ask difficult questions and often bring their worries into play. In this episode, Host Dianne Haulcy talks with Marie Lister of the University of Minnesota Child Development Laboratory School and Debbie LeeKeenan, co-founder of Anti-Bias Leaders ECE, about how educators can respond with honesty, compassion and confidence. Lister shares how preschoolers processed fears about immigration enforcement through dramatic play and classroom conversations, while LeeKeenan explains why avoiding children's questions can leave them to make sense of injustice on their own. Together, they explore practical ways adults can acknowledge fear without creating more anxiety, talk openly about fairness and belonging, and help children see themselves, and others, as valued members of their communities.GuestsDebbie LeeKeenan is the co-founder and co-director of Anti-Bias Leaders ECE and a nationally recognized educator, author, and consultant with more than 50 years of experience in early childhood education. A former teacher, center director and university faculty member, she is a leading voice in anti-bias education and family engagement, and producer of two recent award-winning anti-bias films for educators and families. She is a Chinese American, born of an immigrant working class family and part of a mixed-race family.Marie Lister is the director of teaching and research at the University of Minnesota’s Child Development Lab School. She has been a preschool teacher for 18 years, and is passionate about inclusive, child-centered learning environments. She also works as a coach with Young Hearts, Open Minds, helping educators learn how to talk about race and racism with young children and create anti-bias learning environments grounded in belonging and equity.Discussion GuideEpisode ResourcesAnti-Bias Leaders ECE - Professional learning and practical tools to help adults foster identity, diversity, justice and action in early childhood.“All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman - A picture book that celebrates inclusion, belonging, and diverse classrooms. “NAEYC Guide for Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves,” Second Edition -A foundational guide to helping young children develop positive identities and recognize fairness and inclusion. Learning For Justice - Free classroom and family resources that help adults teach about diversity, fairness, and belonging.

When immigration raids and news headlines dominate conversations, children notice, even when adults think they're too young to understand. In this episode, host Dianne Haulcy reflects on Minnesota's federal immigration enforcement operation and talks with Season 7 Host Andre Dukes about why families need honest, age-appropriate conversations during uncertain times. You'll hear from play therapist and author Olivia Garcia, who explains how stories can help children make sense of difficult events while reinforcing that they belong. You’ll also hear from children's mental health specialist Brandon Jones, who shares practical strategies for limiting harmful media exposure, answering tough questions and helping young children feel supported. Together, they explore how race, identity and community shape children's experiences and why calm, truthful conversations are one of the most powerful tools adults have to build resilience.GuestAndre Dukes is a widely respected early childhood leader based in Minneapolis and trusted expert on the topic of identity development. Andre was the featured guest on the inaugural episode of Early Risers in 2021 and served as the podcast’s host in 2025. Andre has spent the last decade of his career focused on child development and academic success in North Minneapolis, a community with a deeply rooted history of strategic disinvestment and racial segregation. Andre serves as vice president of family and community impact at Northside Achievement Zone, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit.Discussion GuideEpisode ResourcesOlivia Garcia’s “Outside Our Window” e-book. Meeting the Moment: How to talk with young children about ICE in our communities, a conversation with Andre Dukes, Olivia Garcia and Brandon Jones. National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Guides for talking with children after traumatic or frightening events, recognizing stress responses, and promoting healing. “Something Happened In Our Town” children’s book - Helps adults discuss racial injustice and community violence with young children in an age-appropriate way. National Immigrant Justice Center – Know Your Rights – Legal rights information and family preparedness resources for immigrant communities.

In this second episode of a two-part series, we continue our conversation with Dr. Anne Gearity about her seminal work in developmental repair. In our previous episode we learned about the basics of developmental repair and how caregivers help dysregulated children become regulated. But what happens when a caregiver doesn’t look like the child, or is not part of their community? Dr. Gearity explains how building a “bridge” with the child can help the child feel safe and help the caregiver earn the child’s trust.We also learn what developmental repair looks like on the ground. Chantell Johnson, a practitioner of Dr. Gearity’s model, says when kids “don't have the language to tell you, they'll show you.” And that can be confusing for adults who are working with pre-verbal children. But it can be equally confusing for the child, who also may not understand their own behavior. “Kids are really doing the best they can with what they have, even when it's inappropriate.”GuestsDr. Anne Gearity earned her Ph.D. in clinical social work from the Institute for Clinical Social Work in Chicago, IL. Research from her dissertation was foundational for Developmental Repair, an intervention manual for behaviorally challenged and challenging children, written in collaboration with the Washburn Center for Children in Minneapolis. This manual is now used extensively throughout the state. She taught for 25 years at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work and was faculty of the U of M’s Infant and Early Child Mental Health Certificate program in the Institute for Child Development.Chantell Johnson is an MSW Candidate at the University of Minnesota. She’s also the Community Wellness Program Manager & Family Academy Facilitator at the Northside Achievement Zone in Minneapolis, MN.Discussion GuideEpisode ResourcesNorthside Achievement ZoneDr. Rita Pierson - Every Child Needs a ChampionDevelopmental Repair Manual (2012, Gearity)Dr. Anne Gearity University of Minnesota Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences