Celebrating Diversity with Our Little Ones: A Journey through Black History Month and Beyond

My family and I are based in Brooklyn, New York. My husband and I grew up in the Philippines and came here when we were much younger, but our children were born and raised here in the US. We've had different childhoods. I grew up surrounded mostly by fellow Filipinos, while my children are growing up in a melting pot—a place full of different cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles, and identities. What an incredible world!

But for the really little ones, they don’t quite see the differences yet—they notice the similarities! For example, little Susie likes the blue ball just like I do, and Tommy and I play with trains every morning.

As adults, we’ve developed ways to celebrate diversity and learn about different cultures. But the little ones are still trying to understand their own world, so when we introduce concepts like Black History Month or Lunar New Year, they’re not always aware of what these traditions mean. But that doesn’t mean we should stop exposing them to them!

Take Black History Month, for example. Teaching young children about it can be like navigating a maze. After all, they’re still figuring out this whole “planet Earth” thing. The same goes for Lunar New Year—they may not fully understand the traditions like receiving red envelopes or the excitement of a dragon dance. But these celebrations are opportunities to open their eyes to the beauty of diverse cultures.

So, how can we make Black History Month meaningful for kids? The key is to make it personal to them. If you have a Chinese friend, for example, they might stop by with some oranges and a red envelope for your child. These hands-on experiences really help children connect to what they’re learning.

Another powerful way to expose kids to different cultures is by connecting with someone from that culture. But let's do it the right way—let’s not turn to tokenism or expect a Black person to teach your child the struggles of their ancestors. Instead, let’s listen to the voices already sharing these stories. Seek out books, documentaries, and other resources that give children authentic and respectful perspectives.

For Black History Month, let’s focus on one extraordinary individual like the legendary Duke Ellington. Show your child pictures of him and his band. Read about his childhood and listen to his beautiful music. You could even have a little dance party in honor of the Duke! Or explore the vibrant world of Kehinde Wiley’s paintings and strike a pose like the subjects. If your child loves food, shop for ingredients and cook Southern cuisine together.

Intentional time and attention spent with your child exploring anything—whether it's history or culture—is the key to understanding.

Here’s the secret sauce: exposure, exposure, exposure. To truly understand and appreciate other cultures, we need to make it part of everyday life. Here are a few things you can do:

• Watch movies that highlight different cultures

• Groove to music from different traditions

• Savor delicious cuisine

• Acknowledge the hardships from which art, science, and liberation have emerged

By exposing children to these cultural experiences regularly, we normalize them in our lives. What once felt mysterious becomes familiar, and we all realize we are just human beings, each with our own unique story. So let’s dive deep into Black history and other cultural celebrations—teaching our children empathy, appreciation, and knowledge along the way.

If you're looking for more ways to connect with the incredible leaders shaping our community, click here to see our interviews with Black leaders in our community. These inspiring conversations provide a deeper understanding of the work they’re doing and the histories they represent.

Enjoy the journey!