In honor of Black History Month, I want to share some creative activities with you to help celebrate Black culture with your children who are between the ages of 12 months and 5 years. If you are not Black or African American, you may be reluctant to take on this task – especially if you are not that familiar with the culture. That’s okay! The purpose of this post is to equip you with ideas and resources to be successful with your little ones.
Why should you celebrate Black culture?
When you celebrate any culture, you learn about and embrace the culture. You gain a respect, understanding, and appreciation for the culture. We should do this for our own cultures, and my hope is that we start doing it for others. 2020 really brought the Black experience to light, in terms of injustice and racism, but it also shone a light on the joys of being Black and how, we as a people, have contributed to the American lifestyle. My hope is that parents, especially those with non-Black children, will have a desire to learn about Black culture and share their knowledge with their children. This is how we change the narrative. This is how we create a new norm. So, let’s get into it!
What if your child is older than 5 yrs?
There are plenty of resources and ideas for learning about Black culture, but they can sometimes go over the heads of children younger than 5 yrs. They definitely miss children younger than 3 yrs. So, I’m here to provide some effective, fun, and respectful ways to celebrate parts of my culture with children 12 months to 5 years.
What to celebrate
Black or African American culture consists of customs, social behavior, cuisine, language, the arts, and so much more. There are ways to celebrate all of these by simply learning about them and teaching them to your children in a way that they can understand. Here are a few elements of Black culture that can be shared with and understood by children 12m to 5 yrs.
1. HAIR TEXTURE
One custom that is very specific to African American culture is how we care for and style our hair. Our hair is either kinky, curly, or coily in its natural state, and we take extra steps to maintain its moisture and overall health. You can teach your children about the nature of our hair by reading books, playing with curly-haired dolls, and drawing pictures.
When engaging in the activities, point out the characteristics of our hair by using the terms, kinky, curly, or coily. Mention how soft our hair is and how versatile it is. It can be styled MANY ways.
This is so simple right?! Honestly, the hardest part is getting past your self.
Below is a list of links to books and curly-haired dolls. Children can base their drawings on what they learn from the books and dolls.
2. CUISINE
Cuisine is the most well known feature of any culture, and Black cuisine has been incorporated into many restaurants and residential kitchens around the country. Our cuisine is characterized by one word – flavor. From fried fish, smothered chicken, and ox tails, to étouffée, gumbo, and jambalaya, our cuisine has a distinct taste and will leave anyone satisfied and FULL.
You can teach your children about Black cuisine by looking up recipes and inviting them to help you cook. As you’re cooking, talk about the foods and where they come from. Does it come from an animal? Does it grow in the ground? Does it grow above ground? Talk about the smells of the food as you’re cooking. How does it smell? Does it smell sweet?
As you’re eating the foods, discuss their flavor (is it sweet, spicy, light or rich). Talk about the color and texture of the foods. With children 3 and older, you can talk about which geographical areas that the foods originated from (Africa, Southern United States, Northern United States, etc.). You can determine the geographical area by doing a quick Google search. Finally, with children 3 and older, you can talk about how the foods are typically ate in African American homes. This will open up a conversation allowing you to help your child develop a true understanding and respect for Black culture.
Taryn Pire created the perfect blog post that lists popular African American dishes. Click [here] to access the recipes. **Many of the recipes can be modified if you eat a special diet.
3. MUSIC
Music in the Black community is healing. It helps us process our struggles as a people, and voice our opinions when they are hushed by a biased society. Black people have made some major contributions to the American music industry and music genres. Jazz, Blues, Rock & Roll, Gospel, Rhythm & Blues (R & B), and Hip Hop are major genres that have been influenced or created by African Americans.
You can celebrate Black culture by listening to music and watching videos with your children. When you listen to songs, dance! When you watch the videos, talk to your children about what they are seeing and hearing. What instruments are being played? What are the people doing? What is the song about?
Below is a list of links to age-appropriate songs/videos created by famous Black artists.
4. HISTORY MAKERS
When we think about Black history makers, we often think of leaders from the Civil Rights movement like Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. While these people had major influences on America and paved the way for so many of us, there are so many other leaders that are making history TODAY. Vice President Kamala Harris is the first African American to serve as VP of the United States of America. In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African American to serve as President. This year, Raphael Warnock became the first African American to serve as George’s Senator. In 2020, Nicholas Johnson became Princeton’s first Black valedictorian, and in 2021, Nia DaCosta became the first African American woman to direct a Marvel film.
Can children, younger than 5 years, really understand the impact of Black History makers?
While they may not fully understand the impact of the history being made, learning about Black leaders is critical to them understanding the potential of Black individuals. More specifically, when non-Black children are exposed to and educated on Black leaders, the foundation for antiracism is strengthened. An appreciation for the culture is established, and they are able to better understand that their Black peers have the same abilities and skills that are needed to succeed. They are able to understand that their Black peers are equally eligible and able.
You can teach your children about Black history makers by reading books, watching videos, and creating drawings. Below is a list of books and videos related to modern day Black history makers. For children 2 and under, you can engage with the books by pointing to the pictures and asking questions. While you read the books and watch the videos, point out the names of the people and what impact that was made. After you finish reading and watching, ask follow up questions. “What was the name of one of the Black leaders? What did he/she do? What did that do for America?
Going Forward...
As your children grow, I encourage you to introduce conversations about injustice and systemic racism. Explaining the Civil Rights Movement to children will build their understanding of why equity is necessary just as much as equality. Teaching non-Black children about the current injustices that Black people experience will help them understand that Black people are not treated equal even though we are the same, and that something must be done to change that. My hope is that having these conversations will strengthen your children’s respect for and understanding of justice and why it is necessary. My hope is that your children will internalize and gain a true understanding of the reality that Black Lives Matter.
Although I am posting this during Black History Month, your lessons on Black culture should not be limited to February. Instead, you should be making opportunities to teach your children about Black culture throughout the entire year. This is how the information sticks, and this is how your children gain a true respect for and understanding of Black culture.
Below is a list of books that can help start conversations, with children of all ages, on race, equity and equality.
If you’ve made it this far, you are going to make a difference in this world by being a part of the solution! I wish nothing but the best for you and your family. Thank you for stepping up, getting uncomfortable, and being the change!
BOOKS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES
Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
Say Something by Peter Reynolds
Come with Me by Holly M. McGhee
Anti-Racism Starts with Me! A Coloring Book For Kids by Kadeesha Bryant
The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez
What Is Black Lives Matter? by Salina Harris
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford