Black History Month Activities for Preschool (2024)

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.

Black History Month Activities for Preschool (1)

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!

Black History Month Activities for Preschool (2)

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.

Black History Month Activities for Preschool (3)

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!

Black History Month Activities for Preschool (2024)

FAQs

How to teach preschoolers about Black History Month? ›

Ages 0-3 Children's Activities For Black History Month
  1. Support Your Local Community. ...
  2. Make a Hands and Feet Mural With Skin Tone Paint. ...
  3. Learn About Jacob Lawerence. ...
  4. Make Your Own Drum and Learn the History of the HBCU Drumline. ...
  5. Watch Motown Magic on Netflix and Do a Sing-Along. ...
  6. Listen to “Sweet Honey in the Rock” Together.
Feb 2, 2022

What is Black History Month kid friendly explanation? ›

Black History Month is celebrated every February. It's an opportunity to recognize the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout U.S. history. Black History Month has been officially recognized by U.S. presidents since the 1970s, but its origins date all the way back to 1926.

How do you honor Black History Month in the classroom? ›

10 Ideas To Mark Black History Month in Your Classroom
  1. Have students write an “I Have a Dream” speech. ...
  2. Read (and provide books) about civil rights. ...
  3. Start a class community service project. ...
  4. Begin each class with a Fact of the Day. ...
  5. Teach Black art in the classroom. ...
  6. Decorate your door.

Did you know Black history facts for kids? ›

The ironing board (invented by Sarah Boone), the traffic light system (invented by Garrett Morgan), and the home security system (invented Marie Van Brittan Brown) all came down to us from Black inventors.

How do I start learning about Black history? ›

The Many Ways to Learn Black History
  1. Classes, Teachings and Lesson Plans:
  2. Books & Collections:
  3. Articles and Resources:
  4. Podcasts:
  5. Videos:
  6. Roots and Records Searching Resources.
  7. Historical Documents & Museum.
Jan 14, 2022

What are 5 things about Black History Month? ›

Here are five important things to know about this meaningful commemoration:
  • It Started as a Week. In 1915, Harvard-educated historian Carter G. ...
  • Carter Woodson: The Father of Black History. ...
  • February Was Chosen for a Reason. ...
  • A Week Becomes a Month. ...
  • Honoring African-American Men and Women.
Feb 18, 2019

What kind of activities can be done in schools to celebrate Black History Month? ›

Transform Your Classroom into a Black History Museum. Bring the museum into your classroom with this Black History Month activity. Ask students to research notable Black figures or key events in Black history. Students will then create posters based on their research.

What are some topics for Black History Month? ›

Contents
  • Slavery.
  • Abolition and Emancipation.
  • Reconstruction.
  • Segregation and Black Migration.
  • Civil Rights.
Aug 15, 2016

What is Black History Month in simple words? ›

Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.

What do the colors of Black History Month mean for kids? ›

Important Colors

Black, which represents resilience; Red, which is meant to symbolize the blood of innocent Black lives shed throughout history; Yellow, which is meant to convey optimism, justice, and equality; Green, which is used to symbolize Africa's rich greenery and other natural resources.

What is a powerful poem for Black History Month? ›

Caged Bird” Maya Angelou

describes the different experiences of two birds. One is caged and suffers due to being held in captivity, while the other is free to live and roam the world with no restraints. Because of its harsh reality, the caged bird turns to sing and longs for freedom.

How do I talk to my kids about Black History Month? ›

Talk about the positives!

Remember–Black History is more than just hardship! Talk about the amazing contributions they have made to society as a whole. A great place to start is to teach your kids about the impact of Black music, Black scientists and inventors, activists, and any other important cultural contributions.

How do you celebrate Black History Month appropriately? ›

Table of Contents
  1. Volunteer with a nonprofit that supports the Black community.
  2. Celebrate the past and present of the Black community.
  3. Recognize Black employees in your organization.
  4. Organize a book club featuring Black authors.
  5. Promote your employee resource groups.
Jan 16, 2024

How do I introduce my toddler to Black History Month? ›

If you're just beginning to introduce kids to the concept of Black History Month, start at the beginning by discussing what the month honors, how it started and why it is important. National Geographic Kids and PBS Kids both offer kid-friendly walk throughs.

Why is it important to teach kids about Black history? ›

Tremendous gaps would be left in the plot of the creation of civilization around the world without Black history. The advancement of society across the globe has relied upon and been driven by the significant contributions of Black people, and it is imperative that all children know that.

How can we raise awareness for Black History Month? ›

Here are a few ways to celebrate Black History Month at your organization this year.
  1. Volunteer with a nonprofit that supports the Black community. ...
  2. Celebrate the past and present of the Black community. ...
  3. Recognize Black employees in your organization. ...
  4. Organize a book club featuring Black authors.
Jan 16, 2024

What are the colors for Black History Month? ›

The four colours that are used for Black History Month are black, red, yellow and green. Black represents resilience, red denotes blood, yellow is optimism and justice, and green symbolises rich greenery.

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