Martin Luther King Jr. Day Preschool Activities
Crafts and Books that Teach Peace and Unity in Daycare
Jan 6, 2009
January 19, 2009 is Martin Luther King, Jr. day. This federal holiday commemorates the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., leader of the civil rights movement, and is celebrated every year on the third Monday of January.
While young children in daycare or preschool may or may not be able to grasp the concepts of civil rights, slavery, and racism, preschool teachers and daycare providers can create lesson plans and activities which focus on the themes of peace and unity.
Peace and Unity Arts and Crafts
Unity Hand Wreath
Allow children to paint and then cut out construction paper hands in a variety of skin tones: red, yellow, brown and white. Next let them glue the hands onto a paper wreath made of a heavy paper plate with the center cut out. The wreath then symbolizes cultural unity.
Dream Quilt
Gather the children and talk with them about the concepts of hopes and dreams. Next, prompt the children to discuss their hopes for the future. Each child can state what they would like to have, be, or do when they grow up. Next give each child a piece of square construction paper and let them draw whatever their dream happens to be. Finally, take each child’s square and paste them all onto a large piece of poster board to create a “quilt” and display it in the classroom.
Storytime Activities
Storytelling and reading informational and interesting books to young children are simple ways to educate them about the lives of historical figures.
The following board books are recommended to explain concepts such as equality and peace:
The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore and Amy Wummer (Illustrator) [Ideals Publications, 2002]. This is a simple, charming board book which provides a very succinct overview of the life of Dr King.
Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King Jr. by Jean Marzollo and J. Pinkney (Illustrator) [Scholastic, 2006]. Marzollo provides a very basic overview of the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. and focuses on peace and fellowship.
Celebrate Martin Luther King, JR. Day with Mrs. Park's Class by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy [Alfaguara Infantil, 2006]. Mrs. Park’s class learns about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the most principles he lived by.
Early childhood educators should realize that for children ages 3-5, Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday lessons do not need to include a complicated historical explanation at this age. The goal is to get convey the concepts of harmony, cooperation, and peace and honor the man who dedicated his life to these values.
