Tips for Teaching Black History in Your Homeschool

In honor of Black History Month I want to share a few tips towards teaching black history in your homeschool. 

First, I will say that I believe "black history" is "American history", but as with all designated culture-specific celebratory months, I feel it is important to take advantage of Black History Month to educate your child about our past.

Like all parts of history, black history has its highs and lows and what should be taught will depend greatly on two things – your child’s age and your comfort level. 



These tips and resources can work well for any age group: 

• Read black history books – whether biographies on influential African Americans or stories specific to events that took place, reading is a wonderful way for children of any age to discover important parts of history. Your local library might make locating these types of books easier for you right now, as they often have a display set up with books  related to black history throughout the month. 

• Watch films – there are a variety of films focusing on black history. Videos may be found in your library or online via Netflix, Youtube, Ebay or Amazon. One thing you don’t want to do with films is sit your child in front of them and have them watch them alone and count that time as teaching. I attended public schools where this was their idea of “teaching” black history. Undoubtedly, this was done out of a lack of knowledge as to how to handle teaching a history as controversial as black history. Watch films together and discuss them afterwards; they are meant to be a teaching tool and depending on the content of the film they can cause feelings of fear, confusion and sadness, as a great deal of black history was struggle and oppression - but there were also many victories and that should be the focus, particularly with younger children. 

• Play games – a quick search online can lead you to one of the most fun ways to teach and learn black history, through the use of card and board games. These games are a great way to creatively incorporate learning into your family time. Interactive online and printable games and activities are also a great help, like the virtual underground railroad (for older elementary children to high schoolers) or coloring pages from Nick Jr. and Family Education.

• Cook up some culture – explore traditional African American dishes and prepare them with your child. Find fun recipe ideas at Nick Jr. or do a quick Google search for “soul food recipes”, you won’t be disappointed.

• Family History – If you are African American or have African Americans in your family, share your own stories. There are few stories your child will be interested in as much as those that took place within his very own family history.

Black History Month is a great opportunity to discuss diversity and acceptance of others, so take advantage of it, especially if your child has questions or concerns. 

For awesome Black History Month resources and activities visit Family Education and Currclick.com for now, and watch for more articles throughout this month from me. 

Del Kroemer

Del Kroemer is the blessed mama of 3 beautiful and busy little girls, the wife of one big hearted husband and happily homeschooling while working from home as a writer. She is currently working on a new blog focused on being devoted to seeking God’s truth and wisdom in homeschooling, homemaking and thriving in this temporary home!

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