Racial Identity Development in the Early Years: A Montessori Student/Educator’s Autoethnographic Study

Abstract

This thesis is a transformative autoethnographic study of a Montessori early childhood educator’s observational notes and personal reflections throughout their master’s program as well as their Association Montessori International Diploma Course. This work is important for the field of early childhood education as it is a study of factors contributing to racial identity development in children under the age of three. Using Critical Race Theory and Critical whiteness Studies, the researcher analyzed collected data, in the form of field notes, memos, observational notes, and developmental summaries to contribute a formula for abolitionist and protective early childhood education practices.