There are many opportunities to study about important people during the year. Often the ones that the children remember are the ones that have a link to them.
So we need to find a link from the person to the child.
Martin Luther King, Jr. is celebrated in January. In some parts of the world the third Monday in January is a national holiday in celebration of his peaceful protests during the turbulent 1960s. He was an amazing speaker and preacher and is remembered for his famous, ” I have a dream” speech and his passion for civil rights for African Americans.
Deciding on who to celebrate
As a parent of children of colour Martin Luther King Jr is usually the first stop on the way to becoming familiar with people with amazing stories tied to my children’s heritage. It’s not an easy discussion or an easy concept but introducing key concepts through appropriate books makes the process a lot easier.
For us there is our link. Our way into celebrating someone special so they are not just anyone special.
Not everywhere celebrates Martin Luther King jr even though his message spreads so much further than the US. Neither do you see a whole month of activities and information about particular races in all schools, preschools, nurseries or playgroups. It’s easy for special days to come and go. Just another Monday.
Ideas to celebrate
- Wherever you live it’s really easy to add a few books to your library at home. ( see below)
- Request them from your local library .
- Donate a book to your local educational place your child goes to frequently.
History comes alive when we see it in various ways. Picture books help young children to start to grasp concepts, provides opportunities to ask questions m communicate feelings and is a great starting point for parents.
As for what we will do?
We’ll watch on parts of the ” I have a dream speech”
We likely to have a try at our own rebus if not try and remember the one above.
and
Listen to Desire’s ” You gotta be”
