Ensure Curricula and Materials are Culturally Relevant | North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation

Pathways Recommendation

Support local school districts and child care centers to implement strategies that detect racial and cultural bias in curricula and materials, and to select high-quality, diverse, culturally-relevant instructional materials and ways of teaching (pedagogy) that are aligned to state standards.

Pathways Action Map > Expectation 3: Education Action 3.9: Ensure Curricula and Materials are Culturally Relevant

Why This Matters

Using culturally relevant curricula and instructional materials in early care and education settings supports improved learning and engagement among NC’s diverse students. When incorporated with culturally relevant teaching, culturally relevant curricula and materials can benefit children’s cognitive and social development by strengthening their racial and ethnic identities, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and sense of safety and belonging.¹