Juneteenth & Music...
An Expression of Freedom
These activities aim to be developmentally appropriate for children aged 0 to 5 years old and incorporate themes of Juneteenth and Black music appreciation:
Storytime with Black Musicians: Read children’s books showcasing the talent and stories of Black musicians. Choose engaging picture books that highlight diverse musical styles and cultural backgrounds.
Dance Party: Organize a dance party featuring music by Black artists. Encourage children to move their bodies freely and expressively to different rhythms, fostering a love for music and movement.
Making Music: Create musical instruments using recycled materials like paper rolls, rock or rice filled containers, or rubber bands on tissue or shoe boxes. Let children decorate and personalize their instruments. Or you can create a simple percussion area with pots and pans for children to experiment with sound.
Poetry Recitation: Share poetry by Black poets or create simple, rhythmic poems together. Use repetitive phrases and playful language to engage young children in the joy of spoken word.
Outdoor Music Jam and Draw: Take music outdoors. Give children sidewalk chalk to draw while listening to music.
Juneteenth Songs: Sing simple Juneteenth freedom songs and nursery rhymes that celebrate diversity and equality. Encourage children to sing and dance with the song.
Community Garden Planting: Teach children about the significance of gardening in African American culture. Help them plant flowers or vegetables in a community garden or home planters, symbolizing growth and freedom. Another option is to regrowth of foods like potatoes celery, green onions.
Drum Circle: Introduce children to African drumming by providing kid-friendly drums or percussion instruments. Guide them in exploring different rhythms and beats. This activity can be done with real or homemade instruments.
Juneteenth Picnic: Host a picnic (indoors or outdoors) where families eat traditional Juneteenth foods such as barbecue, cornbread, and watermelon. Have the children help with the preparation.
Collaborative Art Mural: Set up a large mural or banner where children can contribute by painting or drawing their interpretations of freedom and equality. Display the finished artwork in a communal space. Or you can provide materials for children to create Juneteenth-themed crafts, such as red, green, and black paper collages (representing the Pan-African flag), or handprint art with freedom-themed messages.