DISCOVER
How to Teach Kids Black History
IN FEBR UA RY A N D A L L Y E A R
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s the mother of both Black and white children, intentionality around teaching Black history is a vital aspect of our household. Like many other parents my age, the Black history I learned in school was limited, at least in part due to the intentional omission of information from mainstream textbooks. While I’m still far from an expert, filling in some of those gaps as an adult has benefitted my own personal growth as well as that of my children. My oldest two children are white 3rdand 6th-graders, and dialog about Black history over the years has been incredibly impactful for them. I’ve watched their empathic responses and understanding of racial justice develop over time. While my Black kids are still young, our primary
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goal is to instill a sense of pride in their heritage. We’ll continue to tell stories of Black people thriving and excelling throughout American history, despite the adversity they faced.
How to Start You don’t need to know it all to teach your kids Black history. Be willing to learn alongside your children. If you’re not sure where to start, ask them what they’re learning about in school and begin to gather more information together. If your child is particularly interested in music or cooking, explore traditional African American music or cuisine. Take an inventory of your library at home. How diverse is your collection?
Are past and present Black heroes celebrated? Are Black authors well represented? Children’s books provide vast opportunities for learning Black history. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History and Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison are a couple of our family’s favorites. The public library is a wonderful resource, and the librarians in the children’s section are more than happy to help.
What About Age? Speak to preschool and early elementary-aged children in simple and clear terms, at their level. You might say something to a young child like, “In the United States, Black people and white
