Juneteenth is a powerful day in American history, as it marks the end of slavery in the United States. It was made an official holiday in 2021. However, even many adults don’t really fully understand the meaning, but children may hear about it and want to know more. So, how do we go about explaining Juneteenth to preschoolers? Here are some quick tips and ideas.
Keep It Simple: What Is Juneteenth?
Avoid a lot of historic facts. Keep it simple and focus on fairness, kindness and equality. An easy way to explain Juneteenth is like this:
Juneteenth is a special day that celebrates freedom. A long time ago, some people weren’t free and had to work without being paid. That wasn’t fair. One day on June 19th, everyone finally heard the news that they were free! They were so happy—they danced, sang, hugged, and celebrated with their families. And that’s why we celebrate Juneteenth today—to remember that everyone deserves to be free, loved, and treated fairly ”
Freedom Friendship Chain
Give each child a strip of paper to decorate with drawings of what makes them feel happy, free, or loved. Link them together to make a classroom “freedom chain” that symbolizes togetherness.
Juneteenth Colors Art
Explore Juneteenth colors through painting or collage by providing the Juneteenth colors:
- Red: for strength
- Green: for growth
- Black: for community
Ask kids: “What makes you feel strong? What helps you grow?”
Freedom Parade
Make flags using Juneteenth colors (red, green, and black) or even red, white, and blue. March around the room chanting: “We are free! Let’s sing and play! Juneteenth is a special day!”
Juneteenth Songs
Celebrate Juneteenth
(Tune: London Bridge Is Falling Down)
Juneteenth is a joyful day,
Let’s all cheer and dance and play!
Freedom came and now we sing,
Love and hope are what we bring!
Repeat with actions like:
- “Clap your hands and sing hooray!”
- “Stomp your feet and shout hooray!”
On Juneteenth Day
(Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb)
Juneteenth is a special day,
Special day, special day.
Juneteenth is a special day,
We sing and dance and play!
People smiled and cheered out loud,
Cheered out loud, cheered out loud.
People smiled and cheered out loud,
“We’re free and proud today!”
Freedom Ring
(Tune: Do You Know the Muffin Man?)
Do you know what freedom means?
Freedom means, freedom means?
Do you know what freedom means?
It means we all are free!
We can play and laugh and grow,
Laugh and grow, laugh and grow,
We can play and laugh and grow,
Because we all are free!
Freedom Day
(Tune: The Wheels on the Bus)
The people on the street all danced around,
Danced around, danced around.
The people on the street all danced around,
On Freedom Day!
Other verses:
- The kids in the crowd all clapped their hands…
- The drums in the air went boom-boom-boom…
- The voices around sang loud and proud…
Here are some simpler books geared at young children:
