Pride Month: Children's Books & Art Activities
In this progressive world where uniqueness of others are celebrated and inclusivity are the values our society upholds, how can we continue communicating with children on how to be accepting of others and what can we learn as an adult throughout the process?
Every June, Pride Month is celebrated all over the world and is an important conversation to keep open and simple with younger children. Pride Month is about affirming others and ourselves the choices made regarding identity. As children continue to grow and explore parts of themselves, parents can help guide those conversations when it comes to gender identity through open-ended conversations, books, and even through art!
Below are four books I highly recommend to read with your child as they all focus on main themes of Exploration/Self-Acceptance, Celebrating Families, and LGBTQia+ General Education/History. I’ve highlighted what topics are discovered along your reading journey and have included a fun art-making activity to do together with your child for further exploration and discussion.
These books and activities are meant to continue building the bond between you and your child, promote and practice open communication, and allow time for you both to reflect, explore and affirm identities within yourself and others.
Remember, this is meant to be a fun experience with your child in creating new memories together as you both learn and grow!
Pride Colors by Robin Stevenson (2019)
This brightly colored board book teaches your younger toddler the LGBTQia+ pride color meanings and how they each symbolize the spirit of Pride Month: Acceptance and love. Accompanied by beautiful lifestyle photographs and validating statements, this board book helps builds a bond between the parent/caregiver and child through teaching unconditional love.
Art Project: My Special Rainbow
Supplies: Colored construction paper of each pride color (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple), Markers, Colored Pencils or Crayons
Intention: Open conversation with children, self-exploration and self-expression of their identity, likes, relationships, and coping skills
Directions/Prompts:
For each color and what they symbolize, have a conversation with your child with the below questions/prompts and have them draw/doodle or write 1-2 things for each question
Red means “Life”
Who are people in your life that you really love?
What are things in your life that you enjoy doing?
Orange means “Healing”
Which of your toys bring make you feel better when you feel sad/angry/upset?
What do you like to do to make yourself feel better? (i.e. draw, listen to music, play a game, hug someone)
Yellow means “Sunlight”
Who in your life brings you happiness?
What do you like to do outside on a sunny day?
Green means “Nature”
What are your favorite trees/flowers?
What do you like to do outside?
Blue means “Peace & Harmony”
When you’re feeling sad/angry, what can do you do stay calm? (i.e. belly breathing)
What does calm look like to you? (i.e. prompt with a shape or a line)
Purple means “Spirit”
How do you like to show off your school spirit?
What are things that you like about yourself?
How do you and your friends/family show spirit?
This Day in June by Gayle E. PItman (2014)
A more in-depth look at what a Pride celebration is all about, this book walks parents and children through a colorfully illustrated educational approach. With whimsical illustrations, the readers are given an inside look into a Pride celebratory parade, what each visuals on banners represent and symbolize, and teaches the respect and acceptance of others. Caregivers/Parents are given information on how to talk to children about gender identity and sexual orientation in age appropriate ways.
Art Project: My Own Pride Celebration
Supplies: You will need access to the illustrations of this book and the reading guide at the end of the book, A large sheet of paper, Markers, Colored Pencils or Crayons
Intention: Education and learning of the different pride symbols and history
Directions/Prompts:
Have your child go through each page of illustration and choose 1-3 favorite items/person/visual from each page and recreate/doodle/draw it on the sheet of paper to create their own collage. Ask them questions like, “if you were to create your own Pride celebration parade, what would you like to be there?” With the reading guide at hand, look up the meaning and symbolism together to discuss its meaning.
Call me Max by Kyle Lukoff (2019)
Focused on the transgender experience, this book highlights the challenges a transgender individual may experience. It is meant to provide comfort for those who may be going through similar experiences and not feel alone or isolated. Built upon open conversations regarding the different ways boys and girls are treated in our society, this book cultivates a sense of acceptance of self. The last line, “Being a boy isn’t better than being a girl, but being myself is the best” encompasses the heartfelt approach in learning how to accept ourselves despite what others may label us as.
Art Project: I accept me for me!
Supplies: Kid appropriate magazines to cut out from (or googled printed images), large sheet of paper, glue sticks/glue, scissors
Intention: Exploration of identity, promotes positive self-esteem
Directions/Prompts:
Using kid appropriate magazines or googled images, have your child create a collage that best represents their unique self. Ask them the following questions”
What are things you like?
What are things that make you special?
What are things that make your family one of a kind?
What are things that bring you joy/happiness?
Heather has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman (2015)
Families come in different shapes, sizes, and so forth. As children grow, they learn from their peers at school the types of families others may have and it may look drastically different from theirs. Sometimes they may question how their own family looks like as they are in a developmental time of comparing themselves/what they have with others. This book provides guidance on celebrating all types of families no matter what. Specifically for Pride Month, this book normalizes having parents of the same gender and focuses on the positive aspects of what having “two” of something can bring to one’s life.
Art Project: Celebrating my Family
Supplies: Multiple sheets of paper, Markers, Colored Pencils or Crayons
Intention: Exploration of family members and dynamics
Directions/Prompts:
Using a sheet of paper for each prompt listed below, have your child draw/write their answers and have an open discussion to explore their viewpoints of their family:
Draw a picture of your family members. Who do you consider to be family? What does family mean to you?
If each of your family member was an animal, what would they be and why?
For each family member, draw/write what they like.
Draw your family in your home or doing something you all like to do together (i.e. playing board games, watching movies, going for a walk)