Every October, the UK marks Black History Month — a time to celebrate, learn about, and reflect on the history, achievements, and contributions of Black people. It began in the UK in 1987 and has become an important annual opportunity to share stories that are too often left out of everyday life.
In 2025, the theme is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, a reminder of resilience, dignity, and the strength found in community and identity.
For nannies, this month is a chance to bring meaningful, age-appropriate activities into the children’s daily lives — not just as a one-off, but as part of building inclusive practice year-round.
Why it matters in the home
- Representation matters: Children benefit from seeing diverse books, toys, and role models.
- Everyday conversations: Nannies can gently weave in themes of pride, fairness, and belonging through play and story.
- Culture through fun: Food, music, and art are wonderful gateways to learning.
Book suggestions for young children
Here are some wonderful picture books and stories you can share with children during Black History Month (and beyond):
- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry – A heartwarming celebration of family and afro hair.
- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o – A beautifully illustrated story about self-acceptance and celebrating skin colour.
- Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed – The inspiring true story of Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space.
- So Much by Trish Cooke – A joyful story about family gatherings, perfect for toddlers.
- Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison – Illustrated mini-biographies of inspiring women.
Nanny tip: Use “picture walks” with younger children (looking at and talking about the pictures before reading the words) to spark discussion.
Activity ideas for nannies
1. Proud Portraits
Give children mirrors, crayons, and paper to draw themselves. Help them write or dictate “I am proud of…” statements to display alongside their pictures.
2. Music & Movement
Play African and Caribbean rhythms (drumming, reggae, Afrobeat). Encourage clapping, dancing, or making simple shakers from bottles and rice.
3. Storytelling with Props
Create a simple “story sack” with a book (e.g. So Much), toy figures, fabric, and items from the kitchen. Children can act out parts of the story, adding their own twists.
4. Cooking Together
Food is a great way to explore culture:
- Fruit tasting: mango, papaya, pineapple, or plantain.
- Easy recipes: baked plantain chips or a tropical fruit salad.
- Spice jars: let children smell nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger and talk about where they come from.
5. Roots & Growth Craft
Using coloured paper, make a “roots and branches” tree. Roots show things that help the child feel strong (family, friends, favourite things), while the branches show what makes them proud.
We also have some ideas on our Pinterest Board.
Keeping it meaningful
- Talk openly: Even young children understand fairness and pride. Simple phrases like “We are learning about people who were strong and made a difference” help frame activities.
- Include families: Share what you’ve read or cooked with parents so they can continue the conversation.
- All year round: Use this month as a springboard. Keep a diverse bookshelf, include multicultural dolls and play resources, and regularly celebrate different cultures.
Final thought
As nannies, you have an opportunity to bring children into everyday experiences that build respect, curiosity, and pride. Black History Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate — but more importantly, it’s a reminder to keep telling diverse stories all year long.