How to Introduce a Lesson for Toddlers About Black History

Frederick Douglass was an important American cultural reformer.

Black history in America has its roots in slavery. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were all slaveholders, as was Benjamin Franklin. Teachers can introduce toddlers to African-American history through stories, quiz games and coloring exercises. Short field trips to the local museum may also be a great aid in providing information to these young children about black history in America.

Things You'll Need

• Soft cushions
• Books that highlight famous black musicians, artists and writers
• CD player and CDs of jazz music
• Storyteller
• Various pieces of clothing
• Drawings of musical instruments and inventions
• Crayons
• Local museum with displays associated with African-Americans

Instructions

1. Ask the toddlers to sit on cushions on the floor around you and read a short story about famous African-Americans; “101 African American Read-Aloud Stories” by Susan Kantor is a possible choice. African-Americans have contributed in many significant ways to American culture. Look for stories about famous black writers, artists and musicians.

2. Play a recording of jazz music to the toddlers, and tell them about the African-Americans who introduced this type of music to the world. Toddlers will be more excited about the music if it has a tune they recognize that has been "jazzed" up.

3. Tell these young people about the horrors of slavery and how America’s modern philosophies grew out of a history of slavery. This subject has often been treated as a marginal aspect of history, but actually played a crucial role in creating the modern world.

4. Invite a storyteller to the classroom to speak to the toddlers about well-known African-Americans, and then have these young students act out the stories. The toddlers can dress up with clothes items that their parents are requested to send with them to school.

5. Hold a quiz. First tell the toddlers a story about a well-known black personality and then ask questions about the person. The children can answer as a group or individually.

6. Draw a number of illustrations regarding inventions or musical instruments and explain to the toddlers how they fit into African-American history. Give the drawings to the toddlers and provide crayons so they can color it in.

7. Take the toddlers to a local museum and show them some of the inventions that are associated with African-American history.

References

• Digital History: Learn About Slavery
• Scholastic: Black History in America
• Essential Learning Products: Teaching Day-by-Day: Black History Month
• Enchanted Learning: African-American History: Black History Month
• Enchanted Learning: African-American Inventors

Resources

• University of Illinois Extension: Black History Month -- Teacher's Guide