Every February, we commemorate and honour Black History Month – a time of reflection, education, and celebration. How can you celebrate this occasion and make it meaningful and impactful?

Here are five activities you can try at home this February to recognize and honour Black History Month.

1. Book Discussions. Choose a Canadian book that honours Black History Month that is developmentally appropriate for your child, such as My Soca Birthday Party: With Jollof Rice and Steel Pans by Yolanda T. Marshall, Because You Are by Jael Richardson, or Dear Black Girls By Shanice Nicole. Once you complete reading a book, prompt your child to think of questions they have about the books and ask them to write or draw their responses on a piece of paper. Become co-learners and do your research and seek answers together.

2. Portrait of Community and Love. Begin this activity by reading The Colors of Us by Karen Katz. Engage your child in an open discussion about the thoughts and feelings they have after reading this book. Prompt them to create a portrait of themselves, their family, friends and teachers in their school and personal lives using paper, pipe cleaners, yarn, playdough and markers in a variety of skin-toned colours. The emphasis of this activity is to have an open dialogue on the diversity of the people around us and invite children to take a moment and celebrate the diversity within our community.

3. Explore the Diversity of Black Music. Explore the genres of African folk music with Marimba, Kalimba & Drums, Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Boogie-Woogie, Afrobeats, Soca, Reggaeton, Afro-Latin, Gospel, Hip-Hop, R&B, Rap, Kwaito, Amapiano, Soul Music, Bantu, Chimurenga, and more! Do your research before you introduce new music to your child in order to share the appropriate information about the artist, origins of music, and what the meaning of the music is. You may explore new instruments and get them to dance to the rhythm of the music. Start by checking out:

1. African Playground by Putumayo Kids
2. Afrobeats Kid’s Songs by Bino & Fino
3. Doggyland Kid’s Songs & Nurseries for Toddlers and Preschoolers

4. Explore The Urban Guide Interactive Game. The Urban Guide (TUG) is an app that gives you an experiential game and self-guided tour that highlights places, spaces, and narratives you may not know about. Explore Southwestern Ontario through a new lens for free to have a chance to win great prizes. Challenge your thinking, your assumptions, and your knowledge of the city! You may also join a discussion led by Annemarie Shrouder from January 19 to March 3, 2024 to discuss your experience. You can also play the game in-person, or you can play from the comfort of your home. All you'll need is a mobile device and a strong WIFI signal to access points of interest to build your knowledge.

5. Watch and Discuss CBC Kids News Black History Month: Exploring the past and future of February's annual celebration. The video discusses topics about American and Canadian Black history, enslavement, celebrating Black culture, influential contributions to society, the diversity of Black communities, and to think of not only Black history, but Black Futures as well. Follow up with an open-ended discussion about what your children thought and how they felt about what they just watched.

PLASP’s partnering school boards:

• Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
• Peel District School Board
• Toronto Catholic District School Board
• Toronto District School Board

Government and Registered Charity Resources:

• Canada’s History: Black History Educational Package
• CBC: Black History Month for Kids
• Decoda Literacy Solutions: Talking with Children about Race and Racism
• Government of Canada Black History Month Resources. Organizations and Educational Resources
• Government of Canada
• Historica Canada: Women in Canadian History: Rosemary Brown
• Library and Archives Canada
• Psychology Today: Explaining Racism to Children
• Resources Relating to Black History at the Archives of Ontario
• Social Justice Books: Early Childhood: Learning About and Affirming Racial Identity
• Teaching Young Children about Race: A Guide for Parents and Teachers
• The Canadian Encyclopedia: Black History Month
• The Ontario Black History Society  

Region of Peel

• City of Brampton
• City of Mississauga
• Brampton Library
• Heritage in Mississauga: Black Settlement

Toronto Region

• City of Toronto - Black History Month

How will you be celebrating Black History Month? Share in the Comment section below.