Racism and young kids subject of Pavee report

A new report calls for action to address racism and discrimination in early-chilhood settings.

The document, compiled by the Pavee Point Travellers Centre, cites instances of a Traveller child being called "Paddy the Knacker" by a pre-school carer, and of a black three-year-old who "learned" that "black is yuck".

The report, launched last week by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, John O'Donoghue, is called ╔ist - Respecting diversity in early childhood care, education and training, by Colette Murray and Annie O'Doherty.

It calls for the introduction of "diversity education", based on international research on the development of prejudice in young children. It says that the adults who work with young children need training to address issues of racism and discrimination.

"It's about encouraging young children - and the adults who work with them - to respect difference and to be aware of the issues involved."

Some of the report's recommendations will be put into action by a project also called ╔ist, a three-year programme in Pavee Point.