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According to the work of Gloria Ladson-Billings, culturally relevant teaching "empowers students intellectually, socially, emotionally, and politically by using cultural references to impart knowledge, skills and attitudes."

The books selected for the Rooted and Reading initiative are designed to build cultural awareness and boost social emotional learning. By reading books where African American students can see themselves positively represented, we can begin to create a bridge between students' home and school lives that celebrates, who they are, acknowledges their lived experiences, while reinforcing their cultural values. 

We believe that the 5 competencies of Social Emotional Learning are best understood in both a child development and cultural context; as children do not develop these skills and abilities in a vacuum.

Understanding Social Emotional Learning from a child developmental perspective helps us understand the skills that children should be able to learn and demonstrate at each developmental level. Additionally we must ensure that children are able to learn these skills in age appropriate ways. Not only that, but when we consider a child development perspective, it gives us clues and indicators of a child's capacity to grasp concepts and demonstrate skills. Failing to consider a child's developmental level can impose a set of unrealistic expectations on children that may be impossible for them to meet.

If teachers, therapist and social service professionals set the benchmarks too high, then they may feel that that programs and strategies are not working  and if they set the benchmarks too low, then they may not be appropriately preparing the students to use their skills to navigate difficult social situations they are likely to encounter.

Often left out of the conversation of Social Emotional Learning is the vital role that culture plays in shaping and developing relational expectations, values around decision making, and ideas about identity, connection to self and spirit. Building upon these concepts at an early age is very important for a child's social expression and emotional regulation.

This is why it is imperative to infuse within our understanding of Social Emotional Learning, the knowledge of self as well as a high degree of African American cultural awareness and appreciation.

Not Quite Snow White By Ashley Franklin | Book Review

          Purchase on Amazon

We rated this book 5/5 Afropuffs!

"Tameika is a girl who belongs on the stage. She loves to act, sing, and dance—and she’s pretty good at it, too. So when her school announces their Snow White musical, Tameika auditions for the lead princess role.
But the other kids think she’s “not quite” right to play the role. They whisper, they snicker, and they glare. Will Tameika let their harsh words be her final curtain call?

Not Quite Snow White is a delightful and inspiring picture book that highlights the importance of self-confidence while taking an earnest look at what happens when that confidence is shaken or lost. Tameika encourages us all to let our magic shine."  -Amazon.com

We are always on the lookout for books that build cultural competence and boost social emotional learning. When we came across this book at Target we knew this would be the perfect read-a-loud! 

As parents of black and brown girls we understand that you long to see your child's hair texture and skin color reflected in images that represent beauty, power, success and happiness. This is often times due to the fact that as parents, you have the troubling task of explaining to your young daughters that despite the prominent images they see...that they are still beautiful. When black girls are not able to see themselves represented in these ways they can begin to internalize feelings of inferiority or exhibit a level resentment and hatred around the ways in which they show up in the world. Not Quite Snow White written by Ashley Franklin and Illustrated by Ebony Glenn demonstrates, through soft visual imagery and affirming statements, that despite what others may think, you have to belief in yourself! For young girls, this does not mean that the words of others will not hurt, because they will! But Tameika showed how to rise above the criticism of others and still reach for your goals. 

We are happy that Ashley Franklin was able to capture the self-doubt, sadness, and pain that can sometimes exist for black and brown girls who dare to be different and challenge social norms. 

Because of that...we rated this book 5/5 Afro Puffs!

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Social Emotional Learning Domains from the Book: 

• Self Management

• Relationship Skills

One of the Social Emotional Learning Domains taught in the book Not Quite Snow White is Self Management, "managing one's emotions and behaviors to achieve one's goals." Tameika displayed sadness, hurt feelings, and confusion in the book. These are often big emotions for children that can turn into anger, rage, or lashing out at others. Children can also become withdrawn or may shut down. Tameika was able to overcome these feelings and discover the positive side of her situation. 

The other Social Emotional Learning Domain taught is Relationship Skills, "dealing effectively with conflict." Tameika could have let the scoffs and remarks of her peers stop her or get her down. She could have yelled at them and called them names. She decided to work even harder to reach her goal. 

We are so excited to feature this book as one of our July Read-a-louds. Be sure to check out our activities link to download our supplemental worksheets. They are designed to help teach these critical Social Emotional Learning skills to your child.