Celebrate Black History Month: A Conversation Guide About Civil Rights for Families

How to talk to your kids about the civil rights movement.

By Amy Mascott and Scholastic Parents

Ages

7-13

Celebrate Black History Month: A Conversation Guide About Civil Rights for Families

As a parent, it's essential to support your children at home with what they're learning at school.  

With the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. observed in January, followed by African American History Month celebrated in February, now is a perfect time to open the door to conversations about racial equality and civil rights. Whether or not your family has already had this discussion, these books below are a great way to continue that dialogue.

Here's how to approach that important topic, with real-life conversations; you can begin by asking your child these open-ended questions which may lead to enlightening discussions. 

  • What do you know about the civil rights movement?
  • What were some of the challenges that people faced during that time in our nation's history?
  • How do you think children felt during that time? Parents? Teachers?
  • Who were some of the leaders of the civil rights movement?
  • What similar challenges do people in our nation face today?
  • How can we continue Dr. King's message of inclusion and equality in our own lives?
  • Where can we go for more information about this and related topics?

In addition, the books below cover a range of topics related to the civil rights movement and are tailored to your child's age and grade. These varied selections include both non-fiction books (for kids who love history) and historical fiction (for kids who learn best from a story) and can be read together, or used for continued discussion to support your child as he reads.

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