Celebrating Black History Month
Resources for Early Learning Teachers and Families
February is Black History Month. It’s a time to celebrate the important contributions of African Americans and the Black community in United States history. Every year the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) selects a theme to center their celebration for Black History Month. This year the theme is Black Resistance: A Journey to Equality.
In regards to the 2023 theme, ASALH shares, “By resisting Black people have achieved triumphs, successes, and progress as seen in the end of chattel slavery, dismantling of Jim and Jane Crow segregation in the South, increased political representation at all levels of government, desegregation of educational institutions, the passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964, the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History in DC and increased and diverse representation of Black experiences in media.”
To honor Black History Month, Early Edge California has put together a list of various educational resources for Early Learning teachers, caregivers, and families on the history and culture of African Americans, specifically the events and people that paved the way for racial justice.
For Teachers & Caregivers
- Black History and Early Childhood Education: Five Resources to Explore for Black History Month (NAEYC)
- Black History Month for kids: 11 activities for learning and celebrating (Care.com)
- Anti-Bias Education (Teaching for Change)
- Celebrating and Learning About Black History and Culture (Reading Rockets)
- Racial Justice (Sesame Street in Communities)
- Talking About Race (Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture)
For Families
- 14 Must-Read Black History Books for Kids (Parents)
- Black History Month (National Geographic KIDS)
- Black History Month Booklist (Quality Start Los Angeles)
- Celebrating Black Leaders (PBS KIDS for Parents)
- NMAAHC Kids Learning Together: Black Characters Celebration (Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture)
- Saturday, 2/4/23: Celebrating Encanto’s Antonio!
- Friday, 2/10/23: Celebrating Frozone!
- Monday, 2/13/23: Celebrating Princess Tiana!
- Tuesday, 2/21/23: Celebrating Doc McStuffins!
- Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism (PBS KIDS for Parents)
Learn more about Black History Month
- BlackHistoryMonth.gov
- Celebrate Black History Month 2023 (Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture)
- It’s Black History Month. Here are 3 things to know about the annual celebration (NPR)
- Black History Month: Sharing Antiracist Research and Resources in Early Childhood Development (First Five Years Fund)