If you have young children, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day might seem like a difficult holiday to celebrate. Teach children the significance of the holiday with these ideas.
Martin Luther King, Jr. day is a day to celebrate, not only the hero, but his ideals. His fight for racial equality had only just begun in his time. Now, decades later, children are learning more about this great hero and how they can help realize his dreams.
Children often get a lesson about Martin Luther King, Jr. at school, but if parents extend that lesson into the home, MLK, Jr. day will have a greater meaning than just another day off from school.
Here are some ideas to help you celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. day in your home.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Dinner Celebration
Hold a special dinner on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Young children will be better able to grasp the significance of the man and the holiday if the parents set aside the day to celebrate his life. Light a candle in memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. before the meal begins.
Dinner Time Discussion
Discuss Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contributions with your family. Let school-aged children lead the discussion. You may be surprised at how much they have learned in school. Ask some leading questions such as:
- What have you learned in school about Martin Luther King, Jr.?
- Why is MLK, Jr.’s message still important today?
- Where would the United States be today if Dr. King did not have the courage to speak out?
Read Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech
This powerful speech sets the tone for MLK, Jr. day. Share the entire speech with older children or parts of it with younger children. Older children may like to read parts of the speech themselves or be willing to discuss the speech.
End the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration with a Commitment
The perfect ending to a Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration is a discussion on what each family member can do to further Dr. King’s dreams. Even young children can help their parents provide service to the community. Collecting food for a food bank and donating clothing or other household items to a shelter can help people of all races that are struggling with poverty. Donating books to a local library will help everyone by furthering literacy. A family could purchase children’s books about Dr. King to be donated to a school or library.
For information on Martin Luther King, Jr. read King the Peaceful: From Gandhi to the Birmingham Jail by Mary Trotter Kion.
Source: The King Center "The Meaning of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday" by Coretta Scott King
