Juneteenth, which is observed on June 19th, creates an opportunity to celebrate freedom, resilience, and Black history with young children. In early learning settings, educators and care providers can honor this important holiday by incorporating books, art, and conversations that highlight themes of joy and justice. In this article, we share a few resources to help you celebrate with the children in your care.
This list from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center shares nine children’s books that celebrate Black children’s everyday lives—being bold, curious, creative, loving, and playful. For more children’s books that celebrate Black voices, you might also enjoy this G2K article from the archives.
Sesame Street’s Let’s Celebrate Black History Song! Highlights the many ways that our Black and African American families, friends, and neighbors have changed the world.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Early Childhood Education Initiative Team created this guide to initiating age-appropriate conversations about slavery and freedom. The guide explains the meaning of Juneteenth, explores the ways that children make sense of history, and highlights developmentally appropriate approaches to conversations with little ones about Juneteenth.
Exploring the various colors, textures, and shapes in works by Black artists is an interesting and engaging learning opportunity for young children. This article, written by Aisha White, Ph.D. for PBS Kids, highlights opportunities to introduce children to history and culture through Black art. The article focuses on a few particular artists to explore with the children in your care.
