Every February, people across the nation come together for events and activities to celebrate Black History Month. Now is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the history, contributions, and global impact of the African Diaspora with your Little. We hope these activity suggestions will inspire you and your Little to honor Black History Month and learn more together!

MOVIES TO WATCH:

• Hidden Figures 
• Black Panther
• A Ballerina’s Tale
• The Princess and the Frog

EASY RECIPES TO MAKE TOGETHER:

• 21 Black History Month Recipes 

BOOKS TO READ:

• Ages 5-12

Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? by Patrice McLaurin | Journey into the often forgotten contributions of African-American inventors, that contributed to the American landscape. It chronicles the school day of a little boy, highlighting different inventions that he uses throughout the day, all of which were invented by African-Americans. 

• Ages 8-12

Black Heroes: a Black History Book for Kids: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern-Day U. S. A. by Arlisha Norwood | You’re invited to meet ancient Egyptian rulers, brilliant scientists, legendary musicians, and civil rights activists–all in the same book! Black Heroes introduces you to 51 black leaders and role models from both history and modern times. 

• For your teenaged Littles, click here to see a list of 74 Teen and Young Adult novels written by Black authors!

According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative, about two-thirds of children experience at least one traumatic event by the age of sixteen. Trauma is one or more events or situations that feel physically or emotionally harmful or threatening. Common causes of trauma include child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), grief, being a witness or victim of violence, neglect, war/terrorism, medical trauma, mental illness, bullying in school, or separation from loved ones. Trauma-Informed Mentoring understands and considers the nature of trauma and promotes environments of healing and recovery rather than practices that may inadvertently re-traumatize.

Trauma can cause youth to have intense physical and psychological stress responses. The impact of trauma can have significant effects on the developing brain, such as, the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) which helps us to process thoughts; the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) which helps us to regulate our emotions; and the Amygdala which helps us to regulate fear. Youth suffering from trauma effects can have long-term impacts:

• Affects the perception of reality
• Wires brain to expect danger
• Takes away a sense of safety
• Triggers flight, fright, or freeze response
• Creates a sense of helplessness
• Creates relationship problems
• Results in serious behavior problems

There is evidence that suggests strong mentoring relationships can help youth to recover and thrive after experiencing trauma. Mentors can help youth build resilience through the following strategies:

Comfort – Be patient and calm. When children are not under stress, try practicing activities that can help them cope when they do feel stress.

Listen – Be open to their ideas and opinions. Ask open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer. Ask clarifying questions if you’re unsure of what they meant.

Inspire – Ask them who their role models are and what they like about them. Help them focus on what qualities they admire in other people.

Collaborate – Engage them with a step-by-step problem-solving process until you reach a solution.

Celebrate – Encourage trial and error problem-solving skills to teach them how to persevere. Celebrate the process and the effort even when things don’t go as planned.

Below are some additional recourses for mentors to learn more about trauma-informed mentoring:

Mnetorvt.org | Bigmentoring.org | SAMHSA.gov | Mentoring.org

2020 has been a challenging year for many due primarily to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have all been affected by it in one way or another. We can go on for days about the negative impact the pandemic has had on individuals and our community, which is true, but it’s also important to have gratitude for the positive outcomes that have resulted. Sometimes, looking for the silver lining in negative circumstances can help to reduce anxiety and stress.

In the month of November, gratitude is a common theme that comes up, and it allows us to reflect and to give thanks for the positives in our lives. Examples of positive aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic may include:

• Increased sense of community—people are coming together in communities.
• Positive environmental effects — pollution has decreased.
• Positive relational affects — many people feel more connected or are having deeper relationships with family, friends, & coworkers.
• Families have been able to spend more quality time together.
• New technological innovations have occurred.
• Street crimes have decreased.

This is a great opportunity to open up a conversation and model looking at a positive silver lining with your Little.  Below are some fun activity ideas that you and your Little can do together which may help your Little learn about the importance of thankfulness, mindfulness, and how to better cope with stressors in their lives.

1. Identify The Positives – Help your Little identify what they have to be grateful for in life.
2. Create A Gratitude Journal – Gratitude journals are great ways to encourage children and teens to identify and express appreciation in a creative way.
3. Play A Game of Gratitude Charades – It can be played just like regular charades, but with a twist. Instead of having everyone write down answers to a category, have them think of different ideas related to gratitude.
4. Perform Random Acts of Kindness – No matter what our situation in life, we can find happiness through practicing kindness to others. Check out this list of 50 simple acts of kindness ideas!
5. Create A Gratitude Jar – Creating a gratitude jar is a simple, yet effective activity on gratitude. It encourages youth of all ages to take the time to really think about what they are grateful for.

Article by Shanice Gooden, Program Quality/Data Integrity Specialist at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay