This February was Black History Month, and it’s a celebration that any preschool program, but especially diverse preschools in NYC, should take part in. Our children should be taught to value diversity from an early age. It is vital to learn and understand how people of all backgrounds and colors have contributed to the society and world they’re growing up in. When teaching Black History to little ones, it is important to focus on all of the positive changes and contributions from notable African American figures throughout history. If you’re looking for lesson ideas, we have some fun suggestions for integrating Black History Month into your own preschool curriculum through fun preschool activities for Black History Month:
1. Decorate the learning space
Change the theme of your learning space or classroom to reflect the Black History Month theme. An example would be to try putting up photos that depict important individuals and their contributions. Try to have a variety of achievements represented, as the emphasis is showcasing African American strides in every major field.
2. Incorporate music
Kids love music, and African American culture provides a rich selection to choose from. New songs and dances can be fun to teach — and also makes for a great movement-based activity for Black History Month! Additionally, there’s plenty of opportunity to cover topics such as the origins and rise of various music genres made popular by notable African Americans in our country.
3. Look for important African American leaders in your local history
Chances are there are some well-known Black leaders or influencers who were an important part of your local history, especially for diverse preschools in NYC — try to include these individuals in the curriculum as well. Children learn a lot from personal association, and this information provides a more direct connection between the past and the present and can contextualize all these preschool activities for Black History Month.
4. Teach about important African civilizations
Cultures such as the Zulu or the Nubians don’t often get much mention in modern American history lessons. Children are never too young to be introduced to some of these influential cultures and their legacies. Learning through photos is always a wonderful tool to teach with and can be a great addition to preschool activities for Black History Month!
Playgarden Prep offers quality preschool programs in Tribeca and the UES and also offers online preschool programs.
