Why Pre-K?

The first reason is that’s the program I started writing first for my own family. The second reason is I am very (very) passionate about early childhood development. There is plenty of time for formal academics as our children get older, but intentionally diversifying their environment and setting the groundwork for a lifetime of compassion, justice, and mercy begins in infancy. Additionally, there are already some fantastic resources for older kids — Woke Homeschooling, Heritage Mom, The Art of Color, just to name a few. They have the critical advantage of being written by women of color, and I will always defer to and center the voices of people speaking from their own lived experience. There wasn’t anything available for the younger years however, so my aim with Dorothea is to help bridge that age gap.

What’s the academic framework?

I’m glad you asked! I was homeschooled until college myself, in an environment that was inspired in equal parts by Charlotte Mason and the unschooling movement. You’ll see echoes of that in Dorothea. The curriculum prioritizes quality literature, exposure to beauty in art, music, and nature, and play-based learning. There are some academics and resources for families whose children are ready for more formal learning, or families using the program with multiple age groups, but the goal of the program is to help our children grow in compassion, curiosity, creativity, and faith.

Is it just for homeschoolers?

No!! I’m so excited about this. While the primary audience of the main program is homeschoolers, there will be a completely free supplemental version available that is perfect for parents and guardians just wanting to supplement their kids’ education outside the home with diverse literature and art or who need help facilitating conversations about faith, race, and diversity with their children.

Why diversity and anti-racism?

“What does it mean to be Black and Catholic? It means that I come to my Church fully functioning. That doesn’t frighten you, does it? I come to my Church fully functioning. I bring myself, my Black self, all that I am, all that I have, all that I hope to become, I bring my whole history, my traditions, my experience, my culture, my African American song and dance and gesture and movement and teaching and preaching and healing and responsibility as a gift to the Church.” — Sister Thea Bowman

My family is multiracial. I’m white, my husband and children are Black. Black and multiracial families are also one of the fastest growing homeschooling demographics, and our kids deserve curriculum written with them in mind. But diversity isn’t just for Black, brown, and multiracial families — it’s important for white families with white kids, as well. It’s up to white families to have conversations about and commit to anti-racism with their children, and that should start as soon as possible in developmentally appropriate but honest ways.

Not only that, but the overwhelming majority of children’s literature features white characters. White parents reading this and wondering if the curriculum is for your kid, do not fear. There is no shortage of picture books that reflect your children. Go throw a rock in a library and you’ll hit one (please don’t actually do this). Dorothea intentionally features books that for the most part prominently center children of color (and whenever possible written and/or illustrated by people of color) because these are the books that we are least likely to find “in the wild.”

You’ll still see some of the classics — because when white isn’t the default we’re able to choose selections from literature that are truly fantastic and not just on the list because they’re always on the list — but you’ll hopefully discover even more family favorites.

Why Catholic?

Despite the unfortunate reality of racism within our parish communities (and frequently being promulgated from the pulpit) the basic tenets of Catholicism uphold and reverence the image of God within every person, no matter their race, gender, creed, or sexual orientation. We want to follow in the footsteps of our patron saints, Servants of God Thea Bowman and Dorothy Day, and remain faithful to our faith while never ceasing to fight for justice — even when that means holding our own leaders accountable. You don’t have to be Catholic to use Dorothea — every Christian can and should share our commitment to love for God and neighbor — but the theology comes from an authentically Catholic worldview.