February is Black History Month
February is Black History Month. If you are looking for black history month activities, you’ve come to the right place. Focusing on black history with your students provides a special opportunity to teach them about the contributions of black men and women throughout history.
Adopting a Black History Month preschool theme will make it easy for preschoolers to see that African American men and women have contributed and continue to play important roles in the fields of art, science, math, literature, history, government, medicine, and social activism. You can teach your preschoolers about important African Americans throughout history with Black History Month activities and Black History Month preschool crafts.
Keep reading to discover Black History Month preschool books, songs, videos, printables, and more. Plus, get ideas for Black History Month activities that will keep your students engaged and learning this February.
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How to Introduce Black History Month to Preschoolers
What is Black History Month? Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements made by African Americans. It’s a time when everyone can learn more about African American past and culture.
Each year since 1976, the U.S. president designates February as African American History Month. However, Black History Month isn’t just celebrated in America, Canada and the United Kingdom also devote a month to celebrating black history.
This year’s Black History Month theme in America is the black family. You can focus on teaching your preschoolers about African American culture and how that influences people and families in our society today.
Why should we celebrate Black History Month with preschoolers? We can all agree that we want our children to grow up and contribute to society in important and positive ways.
To that end, exposing them to the history and importance of Black History Month is a great step towards teaching them tolerance and appreciation for African Americans in our society.
So how do you introduce Black History Month to children? There are lots of kid-friendly ways to introduce your preschoolers to Black History Month.
For example, a fun and engaging Black History Month preschool theme is a great place to begin teaching your preschoolers about African American history and achievements.
Celebrate with a Black History Month Preschool Theme
Learning about and celebrating Black History Month this February is a great way to teach your preschoolers all kinds of important lessons this year. I love using preschool themes to connect a variety of subjects and academic concepts under one theme.
Preschool themes are an easy way to help preschoolers make important connections and increase retention too. Plus, many preschool themes provide teachers with a way to keep our preschoolers interested and engaged in the material.
You can use a Black History Month preschool theme to celebrate with your preschoolers this February. Why not incorporate important African American mathematicians like Katherine Johnson into your math lessons this February?
Read great preschool books by African American authors like Christopher Paul Curtis and Mathew A. Cherry.
Keep reading to discover some of my favorite Black History Month activities and Black History Month preschool crafts to do at home and in the classroom this February. Plus, get some printable Black History Month crafts that make it easy to learn about African American historical figures like Ruby Bridges and Rosa Parks.
Engaging Black History Month Activities and Preschool Crafts
Start Black History Month preschool activities with your kids this February to teach them all about influential African Americans and have fun doing it. There are so many fun hands-on Black History Month preschool activities to try! Check out some of my favorites:
Black History Month Preschool Crafts
I’ve put together a bundle of preschool Black History art activities you can use to teach your preschoolers about influential African Americans like Harriet Tubman and many others. These Black History Month preschool printables come with templates, helpful suggestions for teachers, and a cut and paste Black History Month activity your preschoolers will love!
Plus, they’ll be building fine motor skills, scissor skills, creativity, and concentration along the way. This Black History Month preschool craft bundle includes:
- Ruby Bridges
- Jackie Robinson
- Harriet Tubman
- Mae Jemison
- Rosa Parks
- Simone Biles
- Soujourner Truth
- Bessie Coleman
- Thurgood Marshall
You can even use some of these crafts for Women’s History Month too!
Pair these Black History Month preschool crafts with books, videos, and writing prompts for a complete lesson that’s perfect for your Black History Month preschool theme this February. There are so many awesome books and videos to use with preschoolers this month! Keep reading to see my favorites.
Bring History to Life with Black History Month Books, Songs, and Videos
Media is a great way to engage your preschoolers in the lesson with sights, sounds, and interactive elements they’ll love. There are so many awesome books you can share with your preschoolers this February about influential African Americans and African American culture.
Check out some of these great books for preschoolers from black authors:
- Imani’s Moon by Janay Brown
- Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
- Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Kwesi Johnson
- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
- Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe
- Celeste’s Harlem Renaissance by Elenora E. Tate
- Bun Heads by Misty Copeland
- Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
There are lots of great Black History Month preschool books you can use to learn more about important African American historical figures too. Check out these favorites:
- Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker
- Brave Little Ruby by Shannen Yauger
- If a Bus Could Talk by Faith Ringgold
- Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson by Sharon Robinson
- Before She Was Harriet by Lisa Cline-Ransome
- Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
- Salt in his Shoes by Deloris Jordan
- Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles by Michelle Meadows
- Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride by Andrea Davis Pinkney
- Nobody Owns the Sky by Reeve Lindbergh
- A Picture Book of Thurgood Marshall by David A. Adler
Black History Month Songs for Kids
Adding music to your Black History Month preschool theme is a great way to help facilitate a mind-body connection as you learn all about African American history and achievements this February. Plus, it’s a great way to get preschoolers up and moving this Winter. Check out my favorite Black History Month preschool songs:
- Black History Month Song for Kids
- Black Women in History Song
- African American History Songs
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Time for Peace
Videos on Black History Month
Adding multimedia to your lessons is another Black History Month preschool activity you can use to teach your preschoolers about African American history this February. Videos and films are sometimes a better way to learn about more modern African American contributions and influential figures like Kamala Harris, Amanda Gorman, and Victor Harris. Check out some of my favorite Black History Month preschool videos:
- Black Automobile Inventor C.R. Patterson & Sons
- Frederick Douglass for Kids
- Muhammed Ali Biography
- Oprah Winfrey Biography for Kids
More Black History Month Activities to Explore
Are you looking for even more Black History Month activities to explore with your preschool learners this February? Here are some more great ideas for your Black History Month preschool theme at home or in the classroom:
Consider a subscription box for your preschoolers. There’s a super cool new subscription box for kids called “Because of Them, We Can” that focuses on honoring influential African Americans past and present with curated content just for kids.
You can get just one box for February or keep the learning going with a Black History Month activity box for all 12 months.
Check out “Tab Time,” Tabitha Brown’s new learning series on YouTube just for preschoolers. It’s filled with lessons about creating a better world through love and kindness with fascinating characters like fun characters like DJ Khrafty.
You can explore lots of great Black History Month preschool crafts, activities, and books from Kids Activities to teach your preschoolers about influential African Americans this February. Plus, learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with my Black History Month preschool craft activity too.
I’ve got lots of great ideas for helping your preschoolers learn about his famous dream and important work towards equality and social justice.
The Conclusion of Black History Month Activities
How will you learn about and celebrate Black History Month with your preschoolers this February? I hope I’ve inspired you to try a Black History Month preschool theme or explore a few fun and engaging Black History Month preschool crafts and activities.
Share your favorite Black History Month activities, books, and lessons in the comments. I can’t wait to read them and maybe even add a few of your great ideas to my Black History Month preschool theme this February too!
Introduction
As an expert in Black History Month, I have a deep understanding of the significance and importance of this annual celebration. I have extensive knowledge of the achievements made by African Americans throughout history and the cultural impact they have had on society. I can provide you with information on various concepts related to Black History Month, including its origins, themes, and activities.
Origins of Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration that recognizes and honors the achievements and contributions of African Americans. It is observed in February each year. The tradition of celebrating Black History Month began in the United States in 1976, when it was officially recognized by the U.S. president. Since then, it has been an opportunity to educate people about African American history and culture [[1]].
Themes of Black History Month
Each year, Black History Month has a specific theme that highlights different aspects of African American history and culture. The theme for Black History Month in America this year is the black family. This theme focuses on exploring African American culture and how it influences individuals and families in society today [[1]].
Importance of Celebrating Black History Month with Preschoolers
Introducing Black History Month to preschoolers is a valuable way to teach them about diversity, tolerance, and appreciation for African Americans in our society. By exposing young children to the history and achievements of African Americans, we can help them develop a sense of inclusivity and respect for all cultures. It is an opportunity to inspire them to grow up and contribute to society in important and positive ways [[1]].
Black History Month Activities for Preschoolers
There are numerous engaging activities that can be incorporated into a Black History Month preschool theme. These activities not only educate preschoolers about influential African Americans but also make learning fun and interactive. Here are some ideas:
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Preschool Crafts: Engage preschoolers in hands-on crafts that celebrate African American historical figures. Crafts like creating portraits of Ruby Bridges, Jackie Robinson, or Harriet Tubman can help children learn about their contributions while developing fine motor skills and creativity [[1]].
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Books: Read age-appropriate books written by black authors or about influential African Americans. Some recommended titles include "Imani's Moon" by Janay Brown, "Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History" by Vashti Harrison, and "Mae Among the Stars" by Roda Ahmed [[1]].
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Songs: Incorporate music into the learning experience by teaching preschoolers Black History Month songs. This can help create a mind-body connection and make the lessons more engaging. Some suggested songs include "Black History Month Song for Kids" and "Black Women in History Song" [[1]].
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Videos: Utilize multimedia resources such as videos and films to introduce preschoolers to African American history and influential figures. Videos can provide visual and auditory stimulation, making the learning experience more interactive. Examples of videos include "Frederick Douglass for Kids" and "Oprah Winfrey Biography for Kids" [[1]].
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Subscription Boxes: Consider subscribing to a Black History Month-themed subscription box designed for preschoolers. These boxes often contain curated content that honors influential African Americans and can provide ongoing learning opportunities throughout the year [[1]].
Conclusion
Black History Month is an important celebration that recognizes the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. By introducing Black History Month to preschoolers through engaging activities, we can foster a sense of inclusivity, tolerance, and appreciation for diversity. Through crafts, books, songs, videos, and other activities, preschoolers can learn about influential African Americans and their impact on society. Celebrating Black History Month with preschoolers is a meaningful way to inspire them to become active participants in creating a more inclusive and equitable future.
