Kids Konnect is closed on Monday 6/20 to celebrate Juneteenth.
This Sunday, June 19, is Juneteenth with a US public holiday on Monday June 20.
It was only last year that President Joe Biden recognised Juneteenth as a federal holiday so you might be stuck for ideas on how to celebrate the holiday with your little one. As Kids Konnect Infant Care and Preschools are closed for the holiday, we believe it is important to teach your little one about the role Juneteenth reflects in our society.
This is why we have curated 4 age appropriate activities that you can do with your infant or preschooler on this holiday.
But first, a little recap about Juneteenth and why people across the country celebrate it.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth celebrates the independence of African-Americans and commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is often referred to as the oldest holiday for African-Americans.
President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law in 1863 during the Civil War. However, slaves in Texas didn’t find out slavery was abolished until June 19, 1865. A year later, those slaves’ prayers and songs could be heard all across Texas. Juneteenth was born.
In 1980, Texas made Juneteenth a state holiday. In 2021, President Biden made it a national holiday. Over the years, Juneteenth continually evolved, and African-American community experts and community leaders say the holiday acts as “collective therapy”.
It’s an important holiday that commemorates a vital part of American history.
Why do we celebrate Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is significant because it gives African Americans a louder voice and symbolizes the community’s ability to overcome, and succeed in spite of, the injustice and cruelty they have faced and still face. It is a specific day of liberty for the African American community.
On Juneteenth, people take part in activities that entertain, educate and empower. You might already have traditions your family does during the holiday, but if honoring the day is new to you, you may want to find ways that you and your little one can take part in the celebration.
Perfect Juneteenth Activities You Can Do With Your Preschooler Over The Holiday
1) Attend Local Juneteenth Festivals In The Bay Area
Various local Juneteenth festivals are happening across the Bay Area. They’re a great opportunity to learn more about the holiday and meet your local community. Here is a selection of events happening near Kids Konnect Infant Care and Preschools.
Almeda County
Berkeley Juneteenth Festival – June 19 – 11AM-7PM Adeline Street and Alcatraz Avenue
The 35th annual Berkeley Juneteenth Festival is focused on family fun and entertainment with live music from several jazz performers including Nate the Soulsanger.
Oakland's Juneteenth Festival: June 18-19, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Lake Merritt Amphitheatre.
Oakland’s Juneteenth Festival specialises in wellness with yoga, meditation, mental health resources, Tai Chi, self-defense, spoken word and art installations.
San Mateo County
Juneteenth Celebration and Lunch: 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, 251 City Park Way, San Bruno.
The San Bruno Culture and Arts Commission and the San Bruno Public Library will celebrate Juneteenth in person this year at San Bruno City Park. Enjoy music, community, crafts and opening remarks from community leaders.
2) Watch Some Juneteenth Videos With Your Little One
There are some great videos online that breakdown Juneteenth into family-friendly chunks.
We like this video by PBS Kids.
3) Read a Juneteenth Book With Your Little One
There are lots of different books about Juneteenth and Black History. Kids Konnect has curated a library of books great for preschool children to learn about African-American history.
The New York Public Library recommends a series of fiction and nonfiction books, including the following:
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Juneteenth For Mazie by Floyd Cooper
Mazie’s father talks to her about the meaning of Juneteenth, telling her, “It’s your turn to celebrate… and to remember.”
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Juneteenth Jamboree by Carol Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Yvonne Buchanan
Cassandra and her family move to Texas and celebrate their first Juneteenth. Through images and events, the book teaches children about the history of the holiday
4)Create a Large Mural Or Poster Of Your Local Community
Grab a big piece of paper, some markers and start drawing! Ask your little one questions about your local community and have them draw the people they know from the local community. This could include their teacher, the shop owner, the USPS worker and anyone else they regularly see in the community. Once they have finished drawing and coloring in, ask them questions about what they see. They should be able to identify lots of different races and ethnicities. The activity should teach them that communities are built from lots of different identities – and that it is awesome!
Kids Konnect Commitments
Kids Konnect is committed to teaching a diverse curriculum that benefits all children in the Bay Area. Our blog is full of ideas on how to incorporate Native American customs into your Thanksgiving celebration, the importance of sharing other holidays with your little one, or how to teach about Ramadan.
Learning about different cultures is something we love and cherish and will always teach.