Observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Preschoolers

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Teaching young children about Martin Luther King Jr. is a wonderful way to introduce important values like kindness, equality, and fairness in a way they can understand and embrace. At Primary Beginnings, a 5-star preschool in Raleigh, we strive to provide children with meaningful, age-appropriate experiences that stimulate learning and growth. In this post, we'll be exploring our favorite Martin Luther King Jr. preschool activities.

Through storytelling, hands-on crafts, and engaging group discussions, we can help preschoolers develop empathy, celebrate diversity, and understand the importance of treating everyone with respect. Here are some creative, interactive ideas to honor Martin Luther King Jr. while fostering a love of learning.

Why Teach Preschoolers About Martin Luther King Day?

Teaching preschoolers about Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement offers a valuable opportunity to introduce them to important life lessons. By focusing on simple yet powerful concepts like kindness, fairness, and community, we can help young children build a strong moral foundation in the way King wanted. Here are some key reasons why honoring MLK Day in early childhood education is so impactful.

Promote Kindness and Empathy

Preschool is the perfect time to teach children about kindness and empathy, as they are learning how to interact with others and build relationships. Introducing Martin Luther King Jr.’s values helps children understand the importance of treating everyone with respect, regardless of differences.

Introduce Concepts of Fairness and Equality

Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of fairness and equality is fundamental to building a sense of justice in young children. Preschoolers can grasp simple ideas like sharing, taking turns, and including everyone in play. Teaching these concepts early lays the foundation for understanding and supporting fairness as they grow older.

Encourage a Love of Diversity

Preschool is a time when children are naturally curious about the world around them. Learning about embracing diversity in the way that MLK Jr. envisioned helps encourage children to appreciate the differences in others. By celebrating diversity in a positive, age-appropriate way, we can help preschoolers feel excited about making new friends from different backgrounds and learning about cultures different from their own.

Build a Sense of Community

Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings emphasize the importance of working together and building a strong community. Preschoolers thrive in environments where teamwork and collaboration are encouraged. Teaching them about unity and cooperation helps them understand how their actions can contribute to a happier, more inclusive world.

Plant Seeds of Social Awareness

Even at a young age, preschoolers can begin to understand that their actions can make a difference. By engaging in MLK day activities, kids can start to see the importance of standing up for what is right in their everyday interactions. This early introduction to social awareness can inspire them to be kind, helpful, and thoughtful as they grow up.

Martin Luther King Jr. Preschool Activities with Books

Story time is a wonderful way to introduce preschoolers to Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. Books tailored for young children can make his life and teachings relatable and understandable while sparking meaningful conversations about his values.

My First Biography: Martin Luther King, Jr is a beautifully illustrated book that uses simple language to introduce Dr. King’s life, his fight against prejudice, and his long-lasting impact on the world. Its gentle storytelling and engaging visuals make it a great option for explaining complex ideas like fairness and change in a way that preschoolers can grasp.

Part of the popular Ordinary People Change the World series, I Am Martin Luther King, Jr presents Dr. King’s life in an engaging and relatable format for young readers. It highlights his courage and determination to overcome prejudice while encouraging children to believe they, too, can make a difference.

Perfect for younger readers, this 24-page board book gently covers Dr. King’s life from childhood to adulthood. The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. explains his work to end segregation and create a fairer world with simple language and illustrations. Fun fact: The author of this book is based right here in Raleigh, NC!

After reading a book about Martin Luther King Jr., engage children in a discussion about what they learned. Ask open-ended questions like, “What did you think about the story?” and “What is something you think is unfair?” Preschoolers often have a strong sense of fairness, making this a great way to connect their feelings to Dr. King’s work. Use examples from the story to explain how he stood up against unfairness to make the country a better place for everyone.

Hands-On Martin Luther King Jr. Preschool Activities

Engaging preschoolers in hands-on activities is a fun and meaningful way to teach them about Martin Luther King Jr. while developing their fine motor skills. Through creative projects and group exercises, children can better understand his message of kindness, equality, and unity. Here are some of our favorite Martin Luther King Jr. preschool activities:

What You’ll Need:

White construction paper, paint, markers, and glue.

How to Do It:

  • Have children trace their hands on construction paper or dip their hands in paint to create colorful handprints.
  • Inside or around their handprints, they can write or draw words and pictures that represent kindness, peace, and friendship.
  • Display the handprints together to create a mural celebrating Dr. King’s vision of unity and peace.

Martin Luther King Jr. preschool activities not only let children express their creativity but also symbolize the idea that everyone’s “hands” can work together for a better world.

What You’ll Need:

Strips of colored paper, markers, and glue or tape.

How to Do It:

  • Give each child a strip of paper and have them draw or write something that represents friendship or kindness.
  • Connect the strips into a paper chain, symbolizing unity and the importance of working together.
  • Hang the chain in the classroom as a visual reminder of Dr. King’s message.

This activity encourages teamwork and helps children see the beauty in coming together as a group.

What You’ll Need:

Blue construction paper, cotton balls, glue, and markers.

How to Do It:

  • Talk with the children about Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Ask them to think about their own dreams for a better world.
  • Help them write or draw their dreams on cloud-shaped cutouts.
  • Add cotton balls for a fluffy, dreamy effect and display the clouds on a bulletin board.

This activity inspires children to think big and envision a world filled with kindness and fairness.

Musical Martin Luther King Jr. Preschool Activities

Movement and music activities are engaging ways to teach pre-k aged children about Martin Luther King Jr. These activities not only help children learn about his values but also encourage teamwork, creativity, and self-expression.

Sing Songs About Kindness and Unity

Martin Luther King Jr. preschool activities that involve music are a powerful tool to teach young children about kindness and inclusion. Incorporate songs with themes of peace and togetherness to reinforce Dr. King’s message.

Song Suggestions:

  • This Little Light of Mine – A simple song that encourages children to let their “light” shine by being kind and helping others.
  • If You’re Kind and You Know It – A playful twist on the classic If You’re Happy and You Know It that adds kindness-related actions, such as “share a toy” or “give a hug.”

Sing these songs during circle time or as part of a group activity to make the experience fun and memorable for the classroom.

Small American flags with felt hearts and a note that says "I have a dream - M.L. King" for the blog titled "Martin Luther King Jr. Preschool Activities

"March for Equality" Movement Activity

Teach children about peaceful marches, one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s most effective ways of spreading his message about equality for African Americans, by organizing a mini “March for Equality.”

How to Do It:

  • Create simple signs with phrases like “Be Kind” or “Work Together.”
  • Play an uplifting song about unity or peace (or let the children sing while they march).
  • Encourage the children to march around the classroom or playground together, holding their signs high.

This activity helps children connect to the idea of peaceful activism while working together as a group.

"Dreams in Motion" Freeze Dance

Combine movement with Dr. King’s famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

How to Do It:

  • Play music and let the children dance freely.
  • Pause the music and ask the children to freeze. While they’re frozen, share a short dream for a better world, for example: “I dream of everyone sharing toys” or “I dream of everyone being friends."
  • Resume the music and repeat with different “dreams.”

This game reinforces the importance of having positive dreams and teaches children that they can contribute to making those dreams come true.

Martin Luther King Jr. Preschool Activities in Raleigh

Learn more about Primary Beginnings and see how we create a nurturing, engaging environment for children. Whether celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day or another important historical figure, our early childhood educators focus on encouraging children's development through hands-on, engaging activities that foster a love of learning. Our Martin Luther King Jr. preschool activities are sure to be engaging, educational, and fun for little ones.

Schedule a tour today and discover why families love our 5-star Raleigh preschools. Contact our Spring Forest Road location at 919-790-6888, our North Hills Drive location at 919-785-0303, our Falls of Neuse location at 919-615-0752, or fill out our online contact form to get started.

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