Ways for the Kids to Honor & Learn About Martin Luther King Jr.

Credit: I am Martin Luther King, Jr. by Author Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos

Ways For The Kids to Honor & Learn about Martin Luther King Jr

Kids may be excited about having Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday off Monday. We all need a day off. Yet it’s essential, especially with the current state of affairs, that they understand the holiday’s significance.

While schools teach history on MLK, learning about who he was outside of school is just as important. And we may be celebrating differently this year minus parades and huge social outings, here is how kids can learn and honor this great human, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Watch:

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Kid President

Kids listen to kids, and this video by Kid President (when can we vote for this genius?) shares Martin Luther King Jr’s story, and he has the gift of storytelling that even adults will appreciate.

Brain Pop Animated Video

In a little over 6 minutes, BrainPop Jr. shares an in-depth story on MLK Jr., which is told in a way that even the youngest of kids will understand and learn about one of the most important civil rights leaders of all time.

Selma Movie Directed by Ava DuVernay

Selma is a movie that focuses on three months of what has been stated as a “tumultuous” time. Sharing the story in 1965 of Montogomery marches for voting rights; this movie is a telling. Although not a history lesson on civil rights but of a pivotal time in the fight for civil rights, it feels unfortunately relative to the struggles that Black Lives Matter protests today. Most importantly, it shares a time of the life of the great Martin Luther King, Jr. The movie is PG 13 and features violence.

Free Printables of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Print out these free printables for your little one, courtesy of Crayola.

I am Martin Luther King, Jr. (Ordinary People Change the World)

This sweet picture book by historian Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos tells how, as a child, Martin Luther King Jr. was shocked at how unfairly Black people were treated. It shares how, as an adult, he made a difference with peaceful marches and powerful words. The beautifully illustrated book shares MLK’s “dream” and will inspire kids to not only understand who he was but know that they can make a difference.

I Am Martin Luther King Jr by Brad Meltzer

Listen to Brad Meltzer’s I am Martin Luther King Jr with Read Books Aloud by Ms. Melange.

Listen to MLK Jr. Inspired Tunes

If the kids need a break from the books than it’s time to break out the music and listen to some tunes. Oscar-winner for Best Original Song (2015), this tune from Common and John Legend, Glory is from the movie Selma and one of the most moving and powerful songs about civil rights struggle.

Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday is sung on many birthdays. Still, this song was written as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and to this day, next to the traditional Happy Birthday melody is one of the most popular birthday songs sung around the world.

Super Soccer Stars

Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps. At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace. Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week: Connecticut: <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> &nbsp; Westchester: <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> &nbsp; New York City: <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> &nbsp; Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp offers five daily rotating activities such as swimming, ice skating gymnastics, rock climbing, parkour, indoor/outdoor turf, and courts plus more in its ample 175,000 sq. ft. facility and 35-acre outdoor area. Aviator Summer Camp also offers off-site and on-site field trips such as a day at Green Meadows Farm, Launch Trampoline Park, and a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The summer camp runs from 9 am-5 pm with early drop off and late stay available. Bus transportation is also available throughout Brooklyn. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included. Sign up by February 28th to receive up to $300 off camp with early bird discounts.

New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

Summer Game Camp There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including &ndash; - Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers! - Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more! - Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch! - A digital campus! - Moderated chat hours! &nbsp; Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more! Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm &nbsp; Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons &amp; Dragons No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons &amp; Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons &amp; Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons &amp; Dragons workshop!&nbsp; &nbsp; Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together! &nbsp; Dungeons &amp; Dragons Junior No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons &amp; Dragons games. Our Dungeons &amp; Dragons Jr. game provides a D&amp;D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons &amp; Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&amp;D so they can eventually move onto the main game.