Celebrating Black History Month: A Guide for Parents
- Meraki Psychological Team
- Feb 21, 2024
- 2 min read
February is Black History Month, a time to honor the contributions of Black Americans, celebrate Black culture, and learn about the difficulties and achievements of African-Americans and Black Americans throughout the history of the US. Black History Month presents an opportunity for parents to celebrate educate their children on Black culture and history. The theme of Black History Month 2024, designated by the ASALH, is “African Americans and the Arts.”
Parents can use this month as an opportunity to teach their children to appreciate diversity and inclusivity and/or to celebrate their culture.
Ways to Learn & Celebrate
Stream Black History Month Collections–many streaming platforms offer Black History Month collections of movies and TV shows featuring Black stories and storytellers. Netflix also has a collection called Blackness in Bloom. Pick an age-appropriate piece to watch with your child.
Visit a Museum Exhibit–find a relevant exhibit at your local museum and take your child to peruse or take a tour of the art. Museum websites may also offer relevant online educational content and activities for your child to engage with.
Read Relevant Books –read age-appropriate books celebrating Black and African-American figures and stories. You can find excellent suggested reading lists by internet searching “Black History Month Reading List” in combination with your child’s age or reading level; you can also add your local library to the search to see if they have a collection available.
Engage in Local Community–take your child to participate in local Black History Month events such as, lectures, art exhibits, or city-or school-sponsored events.
Converse Openly–have open conversations with your child about race, equity, and social justice.
Every family’s celebration of Black History month will look different. We encourage families to take advantage of free resources online and in their communities and celebrate and learn about Black History in the ways that work best for them.
Source: 1.Black history themes. ASALH. (n.d.). https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/
