This #GivingTuesday, Support BU Wheelock’s Center on the Ecology of Early Development (CEED)

This #GivingTuesday, BU is highlighting the University’s commitment to a vibrant academic experience. At BU Wheelock, we know that experience can occur both in and out of the classroom, so we’re excited to feature BU Wheelock’s Center on the Ecology of Early Development (CEED), which supports the educational experiences of Black children and their families.

CEED’s research and programming serves to empower families and community members to advocate for the rights of their children. The center’s approach includes:

  1. Conducting applied research to examine young children’s growth and development within health, education, and community settings
  2. Providing professional development in health facilities, classrooms, and community organizations that is focused on equity and anti-racist practices.
  3. Disseminating research for use in the design of policies, programs, and practices that support healthy development and academic success among racially and ethnically diverse learners.
  4. Offering culturally relevant leadership opportunities to a diverse group of scientists, practitioners, and teachers.

CEED’s researchers are planting the seeds of racial justice and equity in Boston and beyond. They do this through three main initiatives:

 

Researchers Investigating Sociocultural Equity and Race (RISER) Network

The RISER Network is a collaboration between senior, mid-level, and junior scholars working together to conduct applied child development research focused on the positive development of Black children. The RISER network focuses on research that will be actionable, strengths-based, and focused on wellness promotion.

Language and Literacy for Liberation

In partnership with other universities, researchers at CEED are investigating the strengths and needs of Black children in terms of early literacy skills and the use of oral language. These programs foster relationships, build identity, and advance their learning.

Education for Self-Actualization Initiative

 CEED researchers are also exploring anti-racist professional development for educators and practitioners, the development of measures of equitable classroom instruction, and how non-traditional education pedagogies (e.g., Montessori, African-centered) are related to school success and well-being. They are doing this through two main initiatives: the Assessing Classroom Sociocultural Equity Scale (ACSES) Measure and the Montessori Study.

Read an interview from BU Wheelock’s alumni magazine with CEED’s executive director, Dr. Stephanie Curenton.

See what CEED and its research partners have been up to:

Support CEED this #GivingTuesday!

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