Learning about Kwanzaa

Elementary-aged children are often surprised to learn that Africa has a diverse landscape, and big cities. It seems that the popular images of Africa are all from a safari.  

Learning about traditional African foods are a great way to help kids understand African culture. Fruit is an important part of the Kwanzaa celebration. Try making African recipes like Om Ali. It's a popular bread-pudding like dessert that can be reproduced by filling a ceramic bowl with bits of puffed pastry, raisins, nuts and coconut and covered in sweet cream. Place the bowl in a very hot oven until the top is golden brown.

Create a timeline of events impacting the Africans. How did their land keep them isolated from Western and Eastern cultures? How did their economies change when explorers began visiting their coasts? Was it a change for the better or for worse? What do you know of the Underground Railroad? What else unites people of African descent?

Use the Internet to find printable coloring pages for Kwanzaa. You can find a coloring book that shows the seven principles of Kwanzaa, pictures of fruit, a kinari (looks like a menorah) and images of African heritage and the history of Kwanzaa.

See if your community is sponsoring a Kwanzaa celebration. Many communities have informational displays and public observances of Kwanzaa. Use webcam technology to see what regions like Swahili and Kenya are doing to celebrate Kwanzaa.

The seven principles of Kwanzaa are great discussion points for older kids. Learn about the seven Principles of Kwanzaa and about the history of Kwanzaa by checking out the Official Kwanzaa Website. You can also find lesson plan ideas and ways to celebrate Kwanzaa.

Lisa is a homeschooling mom of six girls. Her blog is Mrs. Hannigan's Home for Girls.