This past year has been monumental for many reasons, including the way that conversations around race in America have come to the forefront in our national dialogue. And here at Education.com, we want to support the important work that is being done to move toward a more equitable future. To do this, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Black History Month resources to share with your young learners.
8 Books to Celebrate Black History Month
Exposing even young children to the stories and voices of marginalized people is important for encouraging in them a sense of compassion and understanding towards others. Books are a great way to introduce young readers to nuanced and complicated topics, and can serve as a natural starting point from which to build on more weighty conversations. The books highlighted in this article are wide-ranging, but share the same central message: that at the core, all humans are equal and worthy of the same respect and opportunities to lead bright and engaging lives.
8 Ways to Teach Kids About Black History Year-Round
This list shares easy ways to incorporate Black history into your daily life year-round. From watching black-centric movies to stopping at historical black monuments on your next family vacation, these little changes can have a big impact on the way children think about the black American experience.
Supporting Diversity and Inclusion All Year Long
A great way to teach children about diversity and inclusion is to start by interrogating some of the root causes of discrimination. Teaching your children the importance of empathy and compassion, finding truthful and representative news sources, and educating them on implicit bias and stereotypes will help encourage a strong moral compass and sense of fairness within them. Check out our tips for laying the foundation of equity within your family with these four simple steps.
Age-Appropriate Ways to Honor Black History with Young Children
Many people shy away from talking to their kids about tough topics like racism because they feel like they are too young to hear about such injustices, or that they won’t understand those complicated subjects. But it’s never too early to start teaching your kids about right and wrong, and young children are often more compassionate and understanding than older kids or adults. Take a look at this article for some helpful insight into age-appropriate measures you can take to educate your kids about equity and descrimination.
5 Ways Families Can Honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and His Legacy
While Martin Luther King, Jr. Day might be behind us, MLK remains a key figure in American history. Your kids may have heard of his “I Have a Dream” speech, but they may not know how the idea of the peaceful protest shifted activist and political paradigms for decades to come. This piece lays out ways to honor not just Dr. King himself, but those very paradigms he fought for, like honoring oneself and service to others.
Take this month as an opportunity to start a life-long conversation with your family about the fundamental importance of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within our homes, communities, and country.
