Young children look up to the adults around them both literally and figuratively. When we provide role models for preschoolers, it helps to introduce them to a wide variety of adults with different talents, skills, ages, and backgrounds. Since February is Black History Month in the U.S., we wanted to provide ways for you to introduce your preschooler to a few Black heroes. 

1. Identify Heroes Who Share Your Child’s Interests 

The best way to introduce your child to a Black hero is to choose someone connected to your child’s interests or favorite activity. If your child loves nature walks, introduce them to biologist George Washington Carver or scientist Carolyn Brooks. Does your child love to run, jump, and play? Share the stories of Simone Biles or Jesse Owens. Do they like making their own creations in the kitchen? They might want to watch videos featuring Marcus Samuelsson or Carla Hall. If they love reading books, they may want to learn about Octavia Butler, Colson Whitehead, or Zadie Smith. Or, if they’re a budding artist, paintings by Kehinde Wiley or Jean-Michel Basquiet might resonate with them. 

2. Celebrate Unique Traditions 

Celebrate Black heroes from the U.S. and around the globe to showcase the richness and depth of their contributions. Help your children understand the wide variety of languages, food, traditions, and values that exist. Introduce a wide variety of experiences to help your child see all the beauty and richness of cultural traditions.

3. Find Local Black History Month Activities 

In many cities and towns, the month of February features many activities for families to attend that highlight and celebrate Black culture. Local history museums may have special exhibits or family programming that celebrates Black History Month. While our Black Heroes can be celebrated at any time, this month can provide access to engaging programming for young children. We’ve included a link to some of the family activities in our Gardner School city locations that may be near you:

4. Read Books that Feature Black Heroes 

The first step towards finding books that offer inclusion and diversity is by using resources that identify and review children’s books. Tools like WeStories, We Need Diverse Books, or our teacher’s favorite diversity book recommendations on our Amazon Storefront are all fantastic resources for identifying and purchasing children’s books that feature Black heroes. Here are a few of our favorites:

(As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

5. Create an Honor Wall Together 

After reading books, watching videos, and attending local events, you can create an Honor Wall for your own Black Heroes. Include some photos and a few words about each hero. Local heroes are just as important as those known worldwide.

Celebrating Diversity In Every School 

The Gardner School knows that differences make us stronger and we recognize the wide variety of backgrounds and experiences our families encompass. Taking time to celebrate Black History Month honors the experiences of everyone around us. To learn why parents choose The Gardner School to help their children to grow and learn, contact us to learn more or to schedule a virtual tour.