Black History Month is an annual observance that honors the achievements, contributions, and struggles of Black individuals throughout history.
Let’s make Black History Month special for our preschoolers with some awesome activities!
🌈📚 Dive into the richness of diversity, share inspiring stories, and create lasting memories with our little learners.
“Storytelling Through Picture Books”:
Introduce preschoolers to the inspiring stories of prominent African American figures through engaging picture books. Select age-appropriate books that highlight the achievements and contributions of individuals such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman. After reading the stories, facilitate a group discussion, allowing children to share their thoughts and ask questions.
“Celebrating Diversity with Art”:
Engage preschoolers in a hands-on art project that celebrates diversity and African American culture. Provide various art materials such as paint, markers, and construction paper, along with reference images of influential Black figures like Maya Angelou, Barack Obama, or Misty Copeland.
Related: 20 Fun Diversity Crafts for Preschoolers
“Exploring Rhythm and Music”:
Introduce preschoolers to the vibrant world of African American music by incorporating rhythmic activities. Play songs from different genres like jazz, gospel, or soul, and encourage children to clap, stomp, or dance along to the beat. You can also provide simple musical instruments such as drums or shakers for them to experiment with. Use this opportunity to discuss the origins of these musical styles and the influential African American musicians who shaped them.
“Embracing Diversity with Dress-up”:
Organize a dress-up day where preschoolers can come to school dressed as their favorite historical figures or cultural icons from the African American community. Encourage children to think creatively and choose individuals they find inspiring. As they share their chosen characters with their peers, facilitate discussions about their accomplishments and the impact they had on society.
“Community Heroes: Guest Speaker Series”:
Invite members of the local community who have made significant contributions to civil rights, education, or other fields to speak to the preschoolers. These guest speakers can include local activists, educators, or professionals who can share their personal experiences and inspire young learners.
“Discovering Inventors and Innovators”:
Introduce preschoolers to notable African American inventors and innovators who have made significant contributions to society. Set up a discovery station with photographs and information about individuals such as Garrett Morgan (inventor of the traffic signal) or Marie Van Brittan Brown (inventor of the home security system).
“A Journey Through Civil Rights”:
Create a timeline showcasing key events and milestones of the Civil Rights Movement in a visually appealing and age-appropriate way. Use pictures, symbols, and simple explanations to help preschoolers understand the importance of this period in history. Facilitate discussions about segregation, Rosa Parks’s act of defiance, or the March on Washington led by Martin Luther King Jr.
“Culinary Exploration:
Introduce preschoolers to the diverse flavors and dishes of African American cuisine. Collaborate with parents or local community members to prepare a tasting event where children can sample traditional foods such as soul food, Gullah cuisine, or West African dishes. Create a “tasting passport” for each child to document their culinary journey, including the names of the dishes they try and their impressions.
“Creating Unity with a Friendship Quilt”:
Teach preschoolers about the importance of unity and friendship by engaging them in a collaborative quilt-making project. Provide fabric squares, markers, and craft materials for children to decorate their own squares with symbols, images, or messages that represent unity and friendship. Once completed, sew the squares together to create a quilt that symbolizes unity and diversity within the preschool community.
“Expressing Emotions through Poetry”:
Introduce preschoolers to the works of influential African American poets, such as Langston Hughes or Maya Angelou. Read aloud age-appropriate poems and discuss the emotions and themes they convey. Encourage children to express their own emotions through simple poetry or nursery rhymes, using their own words or drawings.
“Exploring African American Art”:
Introduce preschoolers to the vibrant world of African American art by showcasing the works of renowned artists such as Romare Bearden, Faith Ringgold, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Display prints or reproductions of their artwork in the classroom and engage children in discussions about the colors, shapes, and stories depicted in the pieces.
“Community Service: Acts of Kindness”:
Teach preschoolers about the importance of community service and acts of kindness by organizing a service project in honor of Black History Month. Engage children in activities such as making cards for local nursing homes, collecting and donating books to underprivileged schools, or organizing a food drive for a community pantry. Discuss the impact of these actions and how they contribute to making the world a better place.
“Exploring African Folktales”:
Introduce preschoolers to the rich tradition of African folktales by sharing stories that have been passed down through generations. Choose stories that emphasize important values such as courage, resilience, or the power of wisdom. After reading the stories, engage children in discussions about the lessons and messages conveyed.
“STEM Pioneers: Discovering African American Scientists”:
Showcase the contributions of African American scientists and inventors in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Introduce preschoolers to individuals like Mae Jemison (astronaut), George Washington Carver (agricultural scientist), or Lonnie Johnson (inventor of the Super Soaker water gun).
“Cultural Celebration: African Dance and Drumming”:
Introduce preschoolers to the energetic rhythms and movements of African dance and drumming. Arrange for a guest instructor or a local dance troupe to visit the preschool and conduct a fun and interactive dance workshop. Teach children simple dance steps, hand clapping patterns, or basic drumming techniques.
“Community Hero Interviews”:
Encourage preschoolers to conduct interviews with community members who have made a positive impact in their neighborhood or town. Provide them with prepared questions and guide them through the process of conducting interviews. Invite individuals such as local activists, firefighters, or teachers who exemplify leadership and service. Allow children to ask questions and listen to their stories. This activity promotes communication skills, empathy, and an understanding of the value of community involvement.
“African American Heritage Museum”:
Transform a designated area of the preschool classroom into a mini museum showcasing artifacts and images representing African American heritage. Collaborate with parents, community members, or local organizations to collect items such as traditional clothing, art pieces, or historical artifacts.
“Theater and Storytelling: Bringing History to Life”:
Organize a theatrical performance or storytelling session where preschoolers can act out or retell important moments from African American history. Select key events or stories such as the Underground Railroad, the Selma to Montgomery March, or the Little Rock Nine. Provide props, costumes, and simple scripts for children to follow.
“Multicultural Food Exploration”:
Organize a multicultural food exploration activity where preschoolers can learn about traditional African American dishes and other cuisines from around the world. Collaborate with families to gather recipes or prepare dishes representing diverse cultures.
“African Art and Craft Workshop”:
Introduce preschoolers to African art and craft traditions by organizing a hands-on workshop. Provide materials such as beads, clay, fabric, and natural materials like leaves or twigs. Engage children in activities such as creating traditional African masks, making bead jewelry, or designing fabric patterns inspired by African textiles.
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Black History Month is an annual observance that honors the achievements, contributions, and struggles of Black individuals throughout history. It is a time to celebrate the rich diversity and cultural heritage of the African American community. In this article, various activities are suggested to make Black History Month special for preschoolers. Let's explore the concepts used in these activities.
"Storytelling Through Picture Books"
One of the suggested activities is to introduce preschoolers to the inspiring stories of prominent African American figures through engaging picture books. Age-appropriate books that highlight the achievements and contributions of individuals such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman can be selected. After reading the stories, a group discussion can be facilitated to allow children to share their thoughts and ask questions.
"Celebrating Diversity with Art"
Another activity involves engaging preschoolers in a hands-on art project that celebrates diversity and African American culture. Various art materials such as paint, markers, and construction paper can be provided, along with reference images of influential Black figures like Maya Angelou, Barack Obama, or Misty Copeland. This activity aims to encourage creativity and appreciation for diversity.
"Exploring Rhythm and Music"
Preschoolers can be introduced to the vibrant world of African American music through rhythmic activities. Songs from different genres like jazz, gospel, or soul can be played, and children can be encouraged to clap, stomp, or dance along to the beat. Simple musical instruments such as drums or shakers can also be provided for them to experiment with. This activity provides an opportunity to discuss the origins of these musical styles and the influential African American musicians who shaped them.
"Embracing Diversity with Dress-up"
Organizing a dress-up day where preschoolers can come to school dressed as their favorite historical figures or cultural icons from the African American community is another suggested activity. This activity encourages children to think creatively and choose individuals they find inspiring. As they share their chosen characters with their peers, discussions can be facilitated about their accomplishments and the impact they had on society.
"Community Heroes: Guest Speaker Series"
Preschoolers can benefit from hearing from members of the local community who have made significant contributions to civil rights, education, or other fields. Guest speakers, such as local activists, educators, or professionals, can be invited to speak to the preschoolers. They can share their personal experiences and inspire young learners.
"Discovering Inventors and Innovators"
Preschoolers can be introduced to notable African American inventors and innovators who have made significant contributions to society. A discovery station can be set up with photographs and information about individuals such as Garrett Morgan (inventor of the traffic signal) or Marie Van Brittan Brown (inventor of the home security system). This activity aims to spark curiosity and appreciation for the achievements of African American inventors and innovators.
"A Journey Through Civil Rights"
Creating a timeline showcasing key events and milestones of the Civil Rights Movement in a visually appealing and age-appropriate way is another suggested activity. Pictures, symbols, and simple explanations can be used to help preschoolers understand the importance of this period in history. Discussions can be facilitated about segregation, Rosa Parks's act of defiance, or the March on Washington led by Martin Luther King Jr.
"Culinary Exploration"
Preschoolers can be introduced to the diverse flavors and dishes of African American cuisine. Collaborating with parents or local community members, a tasting event can be prepared where children can sample traditional foods such as soul food, Gullah cuisine, or West African dishes. This activity aims to broaden their culinary experiences and promote cultural appreciation.
"Creating Unity with a Friendship Quilt"
Teaching preschoolers about the importance of unity and friendship can be done through a collaborative quilt-making project. Fabric squares, markers, and craft materials can be provided for children to decorate their own squares with symbols, images, or messages that represent unity and friendship. Once completed, the squares can be sewn together to create a quilt that symbolizes unity and diversity within the preschool community.
"Expressing Emotions through Poetry"
Preschoolers can be introduced to the works of influential African American poets, such as Langston Hughes or Maya Angelou. Age-appropriate poems can be read aloud and discussions can be held about the emotions and themes they convey. Children can be encouraged to express their own emotions through simple poetry or nursery rhymes, using their own words or drawings.
"Exploring African American Art"
Preschoolers can be introduced to the vibrant world of African American art by showcasing the works of renowned artists such as Romare Bearden, Faith Ringgold, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Prints or reproductions of their artwork can be displayed in the classroom, and children can be engaged in discussions about the colors, shapes, and stories depicted in the pieces.
"Community Service: Acts of Kindness"
Teaching preschoolers about the importance of community service and acts of kindness can be done by organizing a service project in honor of Black History Month. Children can be engaged in activities such as making cards for local nursing homes, collecting and donating books to underprivileged schools, or organizing a food drive for a community pantry. Discussions can be held about the impact of these actions and how they contribute to making the world a better place.
"Exploring African Folktales"
Preschoolers can be introduced to the rich tradition of African folktales by sharing stories that have been passed down through generations. Stories that emphasize important values such as courage, resilience, or the power of wisdom can be chosen. After reading the stories, discussions can be held with children about the lessons and messages conveyed.
"STEM Pioneers: Discovering African American Scientists"
The contributions of African American scientists and inventors in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) can be showcased to preschoolers. Individuals like Mae Jemison (astronaut), George Washington Carver (agricultural scientist), or Lonnie Johnson (inventor of the Super Soaker water gun) can be introduced. This activity aims to inspire an interest in STEM fields and promote diversity in these areas.
"Cultural Celebration: African Dance and Drumming"
Preschoolers can be introduced to the energetic rhythms and movements of African dance and drumming. Arranging for a guest instructor or a local dance troupe to visit the preschool and conduct a fun and interactive dance workshop can be a great way to engage children. They can be taught simple dance steps, hand clapping patterns, or basic drumming techniques.
"Community Hero Interviews"
Encouraging preschoolers to conduct interviews with community members who have made a positive impact in their neighborhood or town is another suggested activity. Prepared questions can be provided, and children can be guided through the process of conducting interviews. Individuals such as local activists, firefighters, or teachers who exemplify leadership and service can be invited. This activity promotes communication skills, empathy, and an understanding of the value of community involvement.
"African American Heritage Museum"
Transforming a designated area of the preschool classroom into a mini museum showcasing artifacts and images representing African American heritage is another suggested activity. Collaboration with parents, community members, or local organizations can be done to collect items such as traditional clothing, art pieces, or historical artifacts. This activity aims to create a space for learning and appreciation of African American culture.
"Theater and Storytelling: Bringing History to Life"
Organizing a theatrical performance or storytelling session where preschoolers can act out or retell important moments from African American history is another suggested activity. Key events or stories such as the Underground Railroad, the Selma to Montgomery March, or the Little Rock Nine can be selected. Props, costumes, and simple scripts can be provided for children to follow.
"Multicultural Food Exploration"
Organizing a multicultural food exploration activity where preschoolers can learn about traditional African American dishes and other cuisines from around the world is another suggested activity. Collaboration with families can be done to gather recipes or prepare dishes representing diverse cultures.
"African Art and Craft Workshop"
Introducing preschoolers to African art and craft traditions can be done by organizing a hands-on workshop. Materials such as beads, clay, fabric, and natural materials like leaves or twigs can be provided. Children can be engaged in activities such as creating traditional African masks, making bead jewelry, or designing fabric patterns inspired by African textiles.
By incorporating these activities, preschoolers can have a meaningful and engaging experience during Black History Month, learning about the achievements, contributions, and struggles of Black individuals throughout history.
