How Young Children Perceive Race / Edition 1

by Robyn M Holmes

Overview

Using the results of a participant observation study, Robyn M Holmes illustrates how young children learn about ethnic identity. Unlike many previous studies, performed in experimental and contrived settings, the author worked with children in a kindergarten environment. The resulting account uses the children's own words and drawings to illustrate their beliefs and understanding about race and ethnicity. Particular issues addressed include: how children understand group boundaries; view their selves; and develop an ethnic component of friendship, romance and procreation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780803971097
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	01/09/1995
Series:	SAGE Series on Race and Ethnic Relations , #12
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	146
Sales rank:	865,779
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Robyn M. Holmes is a Professor of Psychology and Associated Faculty member in the History and Anthropology Department at Monmouth University. Her teaching and research interests reflect interdisciplinary and cultural perspectives. Her research which often involves her students includes play, recess, children’s cognition, and early childhood education. Her recent research explores the connections between play, culture, and learning. She is the author of the Oxford work, Cultural psychology: Exploring culture and mind in diverse communities and the Sage works, How young children perceive race and Fieldwork with children. Other works include numerous book chapters and journal articles on children’s play, recess, and sport.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Field Methods
Working with Children
The Elementary Schools
Categories and Cognition
Conceptions of Self
Friendship and Ethnicity
Procreation and Race
Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

Holmes (psychology, Monmouth College, NJ) examines children's conceptions of race and ethnicity and explores how these factors influence their social relationships. In contrast to many such studies which take place in contrived or structured settings, this study approaches children in the more natural setting of the classroom and provides a real "child's-eye" view, confirming that race is a social construction which children learn at a young age. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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