ABSTRACT
From the early age of 6 months children are able to differentiate colours and shapes, and by the age of 3 years children certainly can recognize differences, including skin colour differences, long before they go to school. They are clearly learning to recognize the colours of the objects around them. Dunham et al. (2015) argue that for younger children, recognition of ‘race’ is based on skin colour rather than any other characteristic. However, Ouseley and Lane (2008) argue that children are not born with attitudes that view colour necessarily in negative terms. They are reflecting the attitudes and values derived from their parents and significant others. This is particularly true of both black and white children, although some black children may also be
carrying the burden of learning that they are the objects of racism or negative experiences. It must be noted that children do not live in a colour-blind environment.
