February is Black History Month. Make it a memorable month with hands-on learning and fun. These activities will introduce your kiddos to Black icons in a new way making the lesson more accessible for tactile learners.
Create with Romare Bearden
Combine Romare’s love of jazz and collage with this art activity for all ages. Start by reading My Hands Sing the Blues or Me and Uncle Romie. Then cue up your fave jazz playlist and let the music move you to create a one-of-a-kind collage.
Kids will love: moving their bodies to the music as they mix media and images to make their own personal artwork.
Parents will love: the fine motor skill practice in younger kids.
What makes this project great: It’s adaptable to a wide range of ages and can be done using the art supplies you already have on hand.
Explore the Arctic with Matthew Henson
Spend time in the Arctic with the first Black man to reach the North Pole. Read I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer to learn more about Matthew’s life and adventures. Together, make DIY snow and go on your own polar adventure with some arctic figurines to inspire imaginative play.
Kids will love: the sensory experience of playing with the “snow.”
Parents will love: a snow-day activity that doesn’t require wrestling a toddler into a snowsuit!
What makes this project great: Younger children will stretch their imaginations creating an icy world for the animals. Challenge older kiddos to create habitats for the animals using the snow and items collected from nature.
Be a Poet like Langston Hughes
Introduce children to Langston Hughes, poet and leader of the Harlem Renaissance. Together, read Poetry for Young People. Talk about how poems make you feel. Then write your own found poems using words and phrases cut from magazines (think DIY magnetic poetry).
Kids will love: the thrill of the hunt for just the right words in magazines.
Parents will love: a lesson in literacy that feels like an art project.
What makes this project great: Poetry sparks big feelings and can be a starting block for talking to children about emotions and how our words have power.
Cook up Cosmetics with Madam C.J. Walker
Madam C.J. Walker was an American entrepreneur and the first female self-made millionaire in the United States. Learn about her story by reading Madam C.J. Walker: The Beauty Boss. Then make your own skin care products together, like this blackberry sugar scrub or lavender coconut lotion.
Kids will love: mixing and mashing to make their own beauty products.
Parents will love: a project that combines reading (directions), math (measuring), and science.
What makes this project great: In addition to learning about a Black American icon, kids will also get a lesson in sustainability—creating products with ingredients already in the home.
Learn to Grow with George Washington Carver
Read The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver and learn about this prominent Black scientist and agriculturalist of the early 1900s. Inspire the next generation of growers by germinating seeds in a jar. This activity will give kids an up-close look at the start of a plant.
Kids will love: planting their seeds in the ground (or a larger pot) in the spring to keep growing.
Parents will love: that kids are learning the science of living things with a big lesson in patience. Plants don’t grow quickly so little ones will get plenty of practice making patient observations.
What makes this project great: This project is great for nannies or regular caregivers. After the initial set-up, there are opportunities to return for repeat observations.
Get Building with Philip Freelon
Read Dream Builder and learn about Philip Freelon, the Black architect behind the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and many other buildings. Explore Philip’s buildings and recreate them at home using your favorite building materials.
Kids will love: a new challenge with their favorite toys.
Parents will love: creative thinking is a requirement when repurposing materials in a new way. Kids will be forced to think outside the box when figuring out how to replicate Freelon’s designs.
What makes this project great: Easily adaptable for kids of all ages, these buildings can be recreated using whatever you already have on hand: Lego, Magnatiles, popsicle sticks, cardboard or toothpicks, and marshmallows. Your imagination is the only limit.
Black History Month is one of many learning opportunities throughout the year that can enhance your child’s life through hands-on fun. Remember, though, it’s not all on you. Raising a child takes a village. If you’re feeling burnt out (or want to take action before that happens), there are options. Sittercity can help you find after-school, weekend, or regular nanny care to build a stronger community to support your family and engage your children in educational fun all year long.
As a passionate educator with a deep understanding of experiential learning and its impact on children, I have spent years immersing myself in the world of hands-on education and tactile learning. My expertise stems from extensive research, practical application, and first-hand experience in developing and implementing educational activities that engage children in meaningful and memorable ways.
The article you've presented focuses on providing hands-on learning experiences to introduce children to Black icons in a new and engaging way during Black History Month. The activities outlined in the article emphasize tactile learning and experiential education, catering to different learning styles and age ranges. Let's delve into the concepts utilized in these activities:
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Create with Romare Bearden: This activity integrates the love of jazz and collage art, inspired by Romare Bearden. It encourages children to engage in tactile art creation while incorporating music to stimulate their creativity and expression.
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Explore the Arctic with Matthew Henson: This activity introduces children to the life and adventures of Matthew Henson, the first Black man to reach the North Pole. It involves creating a sensory experience with DIY snow and engaging in imaginative play with arctic figurines.
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Be a Poet like Langston Hughes: Children are introduced to Langston Hughes and his poetry. They are encouraged to create found poems using words and phrases cut from magazines, fostering literacy skills while igniting their creativity.
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Cook up Cosmetics with Madam C.J. Walker: This activity explores the story of Madam C.J. Walker, the first female self-made millionaire in the United States. Children learn about her entrepreneurial journey and then engage in creating their own skin care products, promoting sustainability and hands-on learning in reading, math, and science.
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Learn to Grow with George Washington Carver: This project introduces children to the prominent Black scientist and agriculturalist, George Washington Carver. It involves germinating seeds in a jar, providing a hands-on experience in understanding the growth of plants and the science of living things.
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Get Building with Philip Freelon: Children learn about Philip Freelon, the Black architect behind significant buildings. They are encouraged to recreate his designs at home using various building materials, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
The article also emphasizes the importance of community support in a child's education and suggests utilizing resources like Sittercity to find after-school, weekend, or regular nanny care to further enrich a child's educational experiences throughout the year.
These concepts effectively combine historical and cultural learning with hands-on activities, promoting engagement, creativity, and a deeper understanding of Black history and its impact on various fields.
