By the DePelchin Joshua Williams and DeWayne Booker
February is Black History Month — a great time for families to explore together the stories of Black leaders, difference-makers, and individuals throughout the country’s history.
DePelchin’s Fatherhood services, suggests that families try to find engaging ways to recognize the month. For example, families can:
- Read and discuss books about important Black figures in history or about the Civil Rights Movement, or read fiction books that feature Black characters
- Visit the Children’s Museum Houston for one of its Black History Month experiences or exhibits
- Attend Rhyme and Reason: A Poetic Celebration of Black History for Children
- Volunteer together or choose a community nonprofit organization to support
- Make and enjoy traditional African and African-American dishes together
There are plenty of good online resources for parents and caregivers who want to teach children about Black history. For example, PBS has compiled games, discussion topics, history lessons, and many other ways to engage children on the topic. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture has published resources to help parents, caregivers, educators, and others talk to children about race.
Black History Month gives all families a chance to learn and explore together and to help children better understand the past and the present. We encourage all parents to celebrate this month with your children and help them understand and appreciate its importance.
The DePelchin Fatherhood Services offers guidance to parents in one-on-one and group settings. Please visit the Fatherhood services page on the DePelchin website for more information about the program.
