Including diverse families: Reframing relatedness, intimacy and care in early childhood education

Abstract

Within a context of changing possibilities for same-sex and heterosexual relationships, lesbians and gay men are creating novel family forms; their non-traditional conception and parenthood pathways provide opportunities to reconceptualise and expand options for family and parenting of relevance to everyone. Using data from a study focused on lesbian and gay parented families to generate debate and discussion, this session will explore ways of thinking and talking about family diversity in early childhood education that open up, rather than shut down, possibilities for all families. Implications and strategies for inclusion will also be explored.