**Note: This page is for educational inspiration and is not officially affiliated with the various organisations that promote Black History Month. Black History Month is celebrated in October in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands. For official information and resources, please consult reputable organisations such as Black History Month UK (www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk), the Black and Irish organisation (www.blackandirish.com), or Black Achievement Month in the Netherlands (www.blackachievementmonth.nl).
Understanding Black History Month (UK, IRL & NL) in EYFS & KS1
Celebrating stories, celebrating people! Black History Month is an annual observance in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands every October. It's a dedicated time to celebrate the history, achievements, and contributions of Black people throughout history and in contemporary society. It's also an opportunity to deepen understanding of Black history, which is often underrepresented, and to combat racism and prejudice.
For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this month provides a profoundly important and enriching theme for exploring diversity, history, identity, kindness, and respect. It's about introducing children to inspirational figures, understanding different cultures, and fostering an inclusive environment where all children feel seen and valued. This month offers fantastic planning ideas and inspiration for engaging activities that truly resonate with young minds, making learning about history, equality, and social justice both meaningful and accessible.
Why Is Teaching About Black History & Diversity Important for Young Children?
Integrating lessons about Black history and diversity into your practice with young children (aged 0-7) is incredibly important for fostering their social-emotional development, cultural understanding, and sense of fairness. Even at a young age, children notice differences, and providing positive and accurate representations helps them develop an inclusive worldview.
Promotes Inclusivity & Belonging: Ensuring all children see themselves reflected in learning materials helps build self-esteem and a sense of belonging for everyone.
Fosters Empathy & Respect: Learning about diverse experiences, struggles, and triumphs helps children develop empathy and respect for people from all backgrounds.
Challenges Stereotypes: Early exposure to diverse stories and positive role models helps to prevent the formation of harmful stereotypes.
Historical Understanding: It introduces the idea that history is rich and multi-faceted, with contributions from people of all races and cultures.
Supports Social Justice: Laying groundwork for understanding fairness and challenging discrimination.
Enriches Learning: Exploring diverse cultures adds richness and depth to all areas of the curriculum, from literature to art to geography.
Engaging Black History Month Activities (UK, IRL & NL) for EYFS & KS1 (0-7 Year Olds)
Make Black History Month a truly celebratory and educational experience with these planning ideas and activities perfect for EYFS and KS1 children. The focus is on discovery, respect, and celebrating diverse achievements! Many of these early years and year 1 activities can be supported by the extensive range of printable resources we have available.
Here's some inspiration for exploring Black History Month in your setting: (Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity and safety concerning any materials given and activity undertaken.)
Introduce Inspirational Figures: Focus on a few key Black historical figures whose stories are accessible and inspiring for young children. Use our Black Historical Figures - A4 description posters, info cards, mat/poster, name cards and name cards plus info. You can dive deeper with Ira Aldridge - differentiated draw and write sheets, John Edmonstone - differentiated draw and write sheets, Mary Seacole - differentiated draw and write sheets, Phillis Wheatley - differentiated draw and write sheets, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor - differentiated draw and write sheets.
Story Time: Diverse Books: Read books featuring Black characters and stories written by Black authors. Look for books that celebrate Black joy, everyday life, and achievements, as well as those that touch on historical events in an age-appropriate way.
"Our Diverse Community" Display: Create a display celebrating the diversity within your own setting, local community, and beyond. Use the 'Black History Month (UK)' banner and plaques as a starting point.
Art and Creativity Inspired by Black Artists/Culture: Explore art, music, or dance from different African and Caribbean cultures. Children could create their own art inspired by patterns, colours, or forms.
"What Makes Us Unique and Special?" Activity: Discuss with children that everyone is unique and special. Talk about their own families and traditions (linking to Families page).
Role-Play/Dramatic Play: Incorporate themes that allow children to explore different roles and cultures. For example, role-play helping others, inspired by figures like Mary Seacole (linking to People Who Help Us page).
Kindness and Friendship: Emphasize the importance of treating everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of differences. Our Kindness and Friendship resources are highly relevant.
Learning from History (Age-Appropriate): Introduce the concept that people in the past faced different challenges, and how brave individuals stood up for what was right. Keep explanations simple and focus on themes of fairness and perseverance (linking to History page).
Discussion: Celebrating Achievements: Highlight that Black people have made immense contributions across all fields – science, arts, sports, exploration, and more.
These activities offer great inspiration for making Black History Month a memorable and impactful experience in your early years and Key Stage One setting, fostering cultural awareness, empathy, respect for diversity, and an understanding of history.
To explore ideas surrounding additional early years events, please visit our 'Special Dates Calendar' page.
Printable resources to support teaching & learning surrounding: ‘Black History Month (UK, IRL & NL)’
Additional Pages you may like to explore which cover relevant &/or Connected themes
More Early Years Event Pages for October
Explore special dates (including awareness dates, festivals, celebrations & events) relevant to your EYFS & KS1 children
Browse our ‘Special Dates Calendar’ page using the link below. You’ll find calendars for every month of the year to aid your planning!
SEARCH ‘LITTLE OWLS Resources’ USING THE FOLLOWING MENU BUTTONS…
Disclaimer:
This page is for educational purposes only and is intended to support early years and primary practitioners with ideas and resources related to 'Black History Month (UK, IRL & NL)'. We are not officially affiliated with or endorsed by the various organisations that promote Black History Month in these regions. We do not claim any rights to specific trademarks or official materials associated with this observance. For official information and resources, please consult reputable organisations such as Black History Month UK at www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk, the Black and Irish organisation at www.blackandirish.com, or Black Achievement Month in the Netherlands at www.blackachievementmonth.nl.
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