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Black History Month is an important time for parents to celebrate and honor the contributions of Black people to society. Even with only a few minutes a day, there are several ways parents can make Black History Month a priority.
It is important to teach children about Black History Month for several reasons:
Promoting cultural awareness and understanding: Teaching children about black history and the contributions of black people to society helps to promote cultural awareness and understanding. It helps children to understand and appreciate the diversity of people and cultures, and to develop empathy and respect for all people.
Recognizing the achievements of black people: Black people have made significant contributions to society, but their achievements have not always been acknowledged or celebrated. Teaching children about black history helps to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of black people and to give them the recognition they deserve.
Fostering a sense of pride and identity: For black children, learning about their history and the achievements of black people can help to foster a sense of pride and identity. It can help them to see themselves as part of a rich cultural tradition and to feel proud of their heritage.
Challenging stereotypes and discrimination: Teaching children about black history can help to challenge stereotypes and discrimination. It can help children to understand the impact of racism and discrimination on black people throughout history, and to recognize the importance of promoting equality and social justice.
Providing a more complete understanding of history: Black history is an important part of American history, but it is often overlooked in mainstream curriculums. Teaching children about black history provides a more complete understanding of American history and helps to fill in gaps in the curriculum. It can also help children to develop critical thinking skills and to question the dominant narratives about history.
Here are some fun and easy ways to do just that...
Read a book: Take a few minutes each day to read a book about Black history with your child. Choose a book from the list I provided in this blog post or find other books that highlight the contributions of Black people or check out resources like The Conscious Kid
Watch a video: There are many short videos available online that highlight the accomplishments of Black people. Take a few minutes each day to watch a video with your child and discuss what you learned. One of our very favorite sites to visit for this purpose is Because of Them We Can - head over, check it out, browse and start learning.
Listen to music: Music is an important part of Black culture and history. Take a few minutes each day to listen to music by Black artists and discuss its significance. There are so many amazing Black history month playlists available for listening. Here is one of mine that was created from our trip to the U.S. Civil Right Trail (download and update it to make it work for your family and keep adding artists who you enjoy listening to).
Highlight a daily fact: Choose a different Black history fact each day and share it with your child. You can find facts online or in books about Black history. There are so many amazing websites our there to gather up untold stories of Black achievements, but here is a great place to start.
Incorporate Black history into your daily routine: Find ways to incorporate Black history into your daily routine. For example, you could try cooking a meal that is traditionally associated with Black culture, or learning a few words in a different language spoken by Black people.
Remember, it doesn't have to take a lot of time to make Black History Month a priority. Even a few minutes a day can make a big difference in helping children learn about and appreciate the accomplishments of Black people throughout history.
I hope this blog gave you a start to thinking about way you can incorporate Black history into your day to day life. If you found any part of this blog helpful, let me know in the comments.
with wisdom and courage, for His glory,
Tash
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