When my oldest daughter was 3 years old my husband and I decided to allow her to watch online videos to help reinforce her ABC’s and 123’s. We knew at her age her brain was supercharged and wanted to take advantage of this important time of learning.
However, while she was becoming “smarter” she was absorbing all kinds of mainstream social cues. The intelligent lead characters did not look like her – though it was sometimes ok to be a sidekick. The adult figures representing community helpers and loving caregivers did not look or sound like her family members. She was more likely to see a talking animal than a positive image of a Black or Brown person. She was being immersed in a world where she was non-existent or second best.
As a Black woman who attended predominantly white schools all her life, I know intimately the struggle to relearn to love yourself after a lifetime of feeling invisible. Being academically advanced in no way ensures self-confidence when you exist categorized as an "other".
Then the feeling of doubt crept in. What was I doing to my baby?! What was the point of having knowledge if she didn’t love herself? Was I failing as a parent?
I did not want my daughter to wait until college to meet peers like herself, learn about Black excellence and rebuild her sense of worth. On the flip side, we wanted her to recognize that her academic success would not make her a unicorn. She was not an exception but part of a legacy of exceptional people right here in America.
Instead of repeating a cycle of non-inclusion, it was our responsibility to provide resources that would build her up more than just academically. My husband and I searched for educational resources for young children that featured Black children. Don’t get me wrong. There was plenty of curriculum marketed to us with photos of people of color in the ads. But on closer inspection, it was only an illusion of inclusion.
The actual lessons were not written by Black people and the imagery within the lessons made it clear it was not written with my baby in mind. The Black history we did find telling empowering stories were not intended for young learners who require engaging activities and a positive, nurturing presentation.
We were out of options. There was nothing on the market specifically for young children. At this point we felt we were failing in the most vital role of a parent – building confident children, poised to successfully navigate in the world.
Then my husband said something that changed everything. He stated,“Why don’t you do it?”
Here I was a hands on teaching Momma from a family of self-starters. I was teaching my girl to read just like my Mother had taught me to read by the time I was four. When I was little my Mother was always making up spontaneous learning songs and activities to make learning fun. Her influence worked because I grew up to be an NABJ award winning journalist for social commentary. Why couldn’t I use my writing experience to teach young learners?
So, I got to work. My daughter was already reciting the tale of Little Red Riding Hood from a simple Youtube animation. Why couldn’t she learn about the bravery of Bessie Coleman? I started creating colorful, age-appropriate animations featuring notable Black Americans with nursery rhymes and songs. My little girl could see people that looked like her in a positive light while we normalized Black excellence.
Inspired, I was ready to write lesson plans to bring the learning off the screen in a way my daughter would enjoy. It was only natural to collaborate with my big sister (who by the way hit the reading milestone at age three). Dana has dedicated her career to serving under-served children. She has an MS in General Childhood Education from one of the finest progressive Graduate programs, Bank Street College of Education. She currently serves as Director of Education and Program Development for Police Athletic League, Inc. where she oversees academic, SEL and arts learning for over 20 after school and summer day camp K-8 programs all over the five boroughs of NYC. Also, her past experience teaching at one of the most prestigious private schools in NYC helps us to never underestimate what young children can achieve. She agreed to advise and make certain all of our plans meet the highest standard.
With all the pieces in place, Goose Goose Duck was born. We create remixed nursery rhymes, laced with positive images and Black history figures, then educate from the perspective of love and empowerment.
What started as a way to nurture my daughter's academics and self-worth become something much bigger. Not only do the videos normalize people who look like her and introduce extraordinary Black Americans, but we found power in our underrepresented PERSPECTIVE.
What does that mean?
Point of view of Black parents and educators for an authentic experience
Engaging activities, art project and games with bright colors to hold kids’ attention
Representative visually and within the content
Skill focused activities includes writing, STEM and social emotional learning inspired by the notable figures characteristics and accomplishments
Positive Black history introduced age appropriately
Expectations are high with a variety of skill levels to meet the child where they are and expect excellence
Conversation starter with open ended questions to produce thinking children
Timed bite sized activities that keep young learners interested and coming back for more
Interactive hands on parent led activities keeps learning fun
Vetted lessons by an experienced Curriculum Director
Explanations are clearly presented with step-by-step instructions for each activity
We found out with the right perspective, everything else fell into place. We are now raising two girls ages 3 and 7. We continue to create videos and lesson plans that teach and nurture our kids and make them available to teaching Moms and Dads. It is our hope the lesson plans are shared with the same love with which they were created.