New guide promotes teaching children about Black History Month
Fiona Simpson
Thursday, October 22, 2020
A new guide to teaching Black History Month to children has been produced by online childcare platform Yoopies.
The resource is aimed at “to empower children to work towards racial equality and inspire healthy, open, and honest discussion”.
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Blog: The importance of participating in Black History Month
It contains advice, resources and tips for families to explore black history, heritage and culture and covers topics including the importance of black history month; rethinking how we see Africa and thinking about Windrush.
Author Lily Pryer, head of content at Yoopies, said: “Participating in Black History Month is important as it encourages us to dedicate a month to educating ourselves about the multifaceted history of black culture and civilisations, aspects that many of us did not get introduced to in school, and to challenge the oversimplification of black history within society.”
The guide comes days after Hackney Council announced a new curriculum that will see local pupils, from those still at nursery to those preparing for GCSEs, formally learn about Black British history.
Hackney’s Diverse Curriculum – the Black Contribution is a nine-week lesson plan developed by the council in partnership with teachers to coincide with Black History Month.
Deputy mayor and education lead councillor Anntoinette Bramble said: “This year has been significant as we reconcile with the importance of our black history.
“As we witness the effect of the killing of George Floyd, the mistreatment of our Windrush Generation and the unprecedented loss of life Covid-19 has had on black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, it’s important we provide context, encourage debate and enlighten our youth through proactive education.
“I’m very proud to share these valuable teaching resources with schools. It’s a promise we made when passing the motion, Hackney Black Lives Matter, and I’m looking forward to hearing from pupils and teachers on how they are used in classrooms.”