The Already-Whole Child: Reconceptualizing Care Sanctuary through Childism

Reconceptualizing Care Sanctuary through Childism

Authors

  • Em Clark Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Keywords:

childism, neoliberalism, care

Abstract

As early childhood education faces mounting pressures from neoliberal marketization and standardization, young children are increasingly subjected to dehumanizing practices that position them as developmental projects rather than complete human beings. Using critical childism theory and care ethics, this paper proposes ECE as sanctuary—a transformative space grounded in children's full humanity.

The paper first critiques how dominant ECE frameworks fragment children's humanity through developmentalism, adultist power structures, and intersecting oppressions. It then presents three interconnected tenets for transformation: recognition of children's full humanity, redistribution of power within caring relationships, and embrace of interdependence as fundamental human strength. These tenets operate across temporal, physical, and relational dimensions to create sanctuary spaces where both children and adults can develop authentically.

Through practice vignettes and theoretical analysis, the paper demonstrates how children's boundary-blurring ways of being offer pathways toward expanded conceptions of humanity itself. This reconceptualization positions children as "already-whole" interdependent partners whose wisdom and joy are essential to collective human thriving, offering liberation through communities of care and mutual respect.

Author Biography

Em Clark, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Em Clark, M.Ed., is a committed early childhood educator, scholar-activist, and doctoral fellow at Drexel University. With over 15 years of experience teaching and leading in early childhood settings across the U.S. and internationally, she brings an anti-bias, global perspective to her work. Em’s research focuses on advancing children’s rights in early childhood education and challenging institutional norms by centering humanity, relationships, and culturally grounded care. She is dedicated to reconstructing early childhood for equity, belonging, and humanization. 

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Published

2026-03-22

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2025): Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Education: Turning to Hope, Making Sanctuaries, Janice Kroeger and Iris Berger (Eds.)

Section

Special Issue: Reconceptualizing ECE--Turning to Hope, Making Sanctuary

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