Recent Brock Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) graduate Shevon Bridgeman (BECE’ 24) never wants educators to assume children are too young to talk about or understand race.

Bridgeman’s research exploring what racial bias looks like in early childhood education (ECE) — and how it can be changed — was part of the 2024 BECE Research Symposium now available for viewing online.

Through her work, Bridgeman seeks to educate and inform the ECE community on why discussing race with children is important and to advocate for change in the curricula.

Based on her findings, the aspiring educator made several recommendations, such as evaluating classroom materials for misrepresentation or homogeneity; examining one’s own implicit racial bias; expressing concern over biased behaviour of adults; and providing classroom books that encompass many races and ethnicities encouraging reflection on diversity.

Other thesis topics explored the mental health and well-being of children and educators, Indigenous early learning, the role of outdoor play and support for children with developmental disabilities.

Jaime Barratt, Assistant Professor of Educational Studies, said the symposium is a unique opportunity to advocate for the importance of the profession and share research findings and resources with the ECE community and broader public.

“The symposium provides valuable insights and data that can inform future studies and advancements in the field of early childhood education,” Barratt said.

In addition to addressing emerging themes in the field, some students explored well-documented issues such as the decades-long gendering of the ECE profession contributing to an absence of male educators in field.

By exploring the experiences of men in the Ontario early years sector and understanding their views, new BECE graduate Jewel Pascoe’s (BECE ’24) research aims to challenge stereotypes involving gender roles and care while also empowering male educators in the process.

Pascoe found that male study participants struggled with finding their role in the workplace because of the gender imbalance in ECE and felt a strong sense of “otherness” amongst their peers.

She concluded that change and increased trust in male educators is needed to welcome men into the profession thus bringing more diversity to children’s experiences.

Associate Professor of Educational Studies and BECE Program Director Sandra Della Porta said topics BECE students are passionate about studying are often areas where change is needed.

“With this symposium, we not only celebrate BECE student accomplishments, but also share the ongoing issues ever-present in the field. I commend our students on their ongoing advocacy for recognizing the value of the profession and dedication to change for social justice and equity,” she said.

This is the fourth year for the virtual format following a move online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and BECE’s shift to becoming a completely online program in fall 2021, making the program more accessible to educators from across Canada and around the world.