Celebrating the life of Martin luther king, Jr.

This Monday, January 16th, we honor and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The holiday provides an opportunity to discuss diversity and justice with young children in simple ways. Below, I share staff insights into the day and suggestions for talking to your children about race, diversity, and MLK Jr. 

From Junior Kindergarten
Barbara and Debbie began conversations about equity and fairness by reading the book Swimmy by Leo Leonni. Teachers aimed to focus on how small actions, together, make a just and inclusive community. The class talked about how speaking up and leading encourages others to take action and protect others together. Swimmy highlights the power of organizing in a way that is relatable and meaningful to young children. 

From Four Day
During snack on Wednesday and Thursday in Four Day, we shared photos of Martin Luther King Jr. as a father and an organizer. We told children that he was a helper and he got people together to help make things fair. We then asked them if they knew what the word fair meant. One child answered, “It’s the World Fair.” Another quickly added, “Like a carnival.” They needed more information. We offered relatable examples of only curly haired people being allowed to eat snack or only people with gray pants being allowed to play at the table. Would that be fair? We heard a resounding “No!” We told them that we are celebrating MLK day on Monday because of what an important person he was. One child asked if he died and we said yes, a long time ago. We didn’t go into more details, just responded to what the children asked.

Talking to Preschoolers about MLK Jr. and race
​Talking to young children about race is important, because early childhood is a crucial and vulnerable period for identity development. Between 2 ½ and 3 ½, children move beyond noticing differences and begin absorbing socially prevailing negative stereotypes, feelings, and ideas about people, including themselves. By the time they are 4, children are seeking labels for racial/ethnic identity and have their own theories about what causes a disability, skin tone, and gender. (Derman-Sparks, Teaching for Change). 

• Talk to them about race. This article provides an evidence-based explanation of why these conversations are so important, along with helpful tips about how to do it.
• Read a book to your child about Martin Luther King, Jr. or listen to one of these stories read aloud: We March by Shane Evans (about a Black family attending the March on Washington in 1963; appropriate for all preschoolers) and My Daddy, Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King, Jr III  (appropriate for JK and older). Whatever books you choose, preview them first and be prepared to have more than one conversation together. Teaching for Change (Freedom Reads project) is an excellent beginning resource for parents and educators on how to select quality anti-bias children's books, and their companion website, socialjusticebooks.org, provides thoughtful reviews on current children's literature from an anti-bias lens.
• You might even pull up a photo of MLK and sing happy birthday to him! 

Our community is thrilled to welcome Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee of the Seattle Girls’ School on Wednesday, January 25th. Rosetta will lead a discussion on Inclusion in the Early Years and how to talk with young children about race and diversity. 

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