Brave Conversations: Helping Young Children Make Sense of Fear, Fairness and Belonging

Sep 23, 2026

When immigration raids and stories of racial profiling make headlines, young children notice. They hear conversations, ask difficult questions and often bring their worries into play. In this episode, Host Dianne Haulcy talks with Marie Lister of the University of Minnesota Child Development Laboratory School and Debbie LeeKeenan, co-founder of Anti-Bias Leaders ECE, about how educators can respond with honesty, compassion and confidence. Lister shares how preschoolers processed fears about immigration enforcement through dramatic play and classroom conversations, while LeeKeenan explains why avoiding children's questions can leave them to make sense of injustice on their own. Together, they explore practical ways adults can acknowledge fear without creating more anxiety, talk openly about fairness and belonging, and help children see themselves, and others, as valued members of their communities.

Guests

Debbie LeeKeenan is the co-founder and co-director of Anti-Bias Leaders ECE and a nationally recognized educator, author, and consultant with more than 50 years of experience in early childhood education. A former teacher, center director and university faculty member, she is a leading voice in anti-bias education and family engagement, and producer of two recent award-winning anti-bias films for educators and families. She is a Chinese American, born of an immigrant working class family and part of a mixed-race family.

Marie Lister is the director of teaching and research at the University of Minnesota’s Child Development Lab School. She has been a preschool teacher for 18 years, and is passionate about inclusive, child-centered learning environments. She also works as a coach with Young Hearts, Open Minds, helping educators learn how to talk about race and racism with young children and create anti-bias learning environments grounded in belonging and equity.

Discussion Guide

Early Risers Season 8 Episode 2 Discussion Guide

Episode Resources

Anti-Bias Leaders ECE - Professional learning and practical tools to help adults foster identity, diversity, justice and action in early childhood.

“All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman - A picture book that celebrates inclusion, belonging, and diverse classrooms.

“NAEYC Guide for Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves,” Second Edition -
A foundational guide to helping young children develop positive identities and recognize fairness and inclusion.

Learning For Justice - Free classroom and family resources that help adults teach about diversity, fairness, and belonging.