Love the Skin They Are In: Fostering Healthy Racial Identity Development in the Young Child

PART 1 – In this follow-up session to our April 2024 presentation on the same topic, Early Childhood teacher and Waldorf alum Keelah Helwig will help parents and caregivers understand and support healthy, age-appropriate racial identity development in young children. Drawing on research and decades of her own experience as a Waldorf student and teacher, Keelah will offer a framework to help adults reflect on racial identity and share practical exercises that help all students love the skin they are in.  This two-part event includes a practice/skill-building session. (see below)

PART 2 – In the week following the presentation, Aiyana Masla and Masumi Hayashi-Smith of Alma Partners will lead practice sessions for participants to integrate what they have learned with Keelah. In these sessions, participants will have opportunities to connect in small groups, engage in reflective exercises, and collaboratively delve into problems of practice associated with Racial Identity Development and Anti-Bias Education. (not recorded)

Please remember which email address you use to sign up with, as a Zoom link will be sent to you the day of the event. Please do not opt out of receiving emails from us, so that we can send you the Zoom link.

Keelah Helwig (she/her) is an Early Childhood educator at the Waldorf School of Garden City, NY. She is a Board member of Sunbridge Institute, WECAN, and AWSNA.  As a co-founding member of Alma Partners, Keelah is interested in partnering with Waldorf leadership and faculty circles who are ready to examine, name, and transform the obstacles of bias and systemic racism that prevent them from being communities where all children and families can thrive.

Masumi Hayashi-Smith (they/them) is a queer biracial facilitator originally from Coast Salish land in Tacoma, Washington. Masumi works with schools and organizations around topics of race, gender, identity, and systems of oppression and liberation. Currently, they work with Alma Partners, Rise for Racial Justice, and Spark Decks to help schools and organizations sustainably integrate principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging into their communities.

Aiyana Masala (she/her) has worked for 18 years in the US and internationally as a bilingual interdisciplinary artist, curriculum writer, teacher, published poet, storyteller, certified sexual health educator, and picture book author/ illustrator.  At Naropa University, Aiyana studied Contemplative Education and Liberatory Anti-bias Curriculum for Early Childhood. She was the first Social Emotional Learning and Wellness Teacher at the Brooklyn Waldorf School and is co-author and illustrator of Teach Affirm Learn Know (T.A.L.K.) – Gender, Consent and Sexuality for Elementary School.

PART 1 – This is a live event that will take place on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 3:30 pm HT, 5:30 pm PT, 6:30 pm MT, 7:30 pm CT, 8:30 pm ET. All who register will receive access to the recording of the event.

PART 2 – This is a live event that will take place on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 3:30 pm HT, 5:30 pm PT, 6:30 pm MT, 7:30 pm CT, 8:30 pm ET. This will NOT BE RECORDED.

The registration fee is $20 USD, and you can register online through the ​​WECAN bookstore. We want everyone to be able to participate in this evening. If you require financial support, please contact Heather Church at hchurch@waldorfearlychildhood.org.