Three and four year old children enjoy creating things. One thing they can help create during this month is a friendship quilt. To begin this activity, read a story to the children about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., such as "Who Was Martin Luther King Jr." by Bonnie Bader and Nancy Harrison. Then discuss the story with the children. After this give each child a piece of construction paper and ask him to draw a picture of what he sees as a dream for his future. Some may draw pictures of meals while others may draw pictures of the future. When they are finished, tie the squares together with yarn and then create a border out of plain construction paper and hang the quilt where all can see.
If there are traffic lights close by, take the children on a walk to see how many traffic lights they can see. Discuss with the children the importance of traffic lights in everyday life, then introduce the fact that Garrett Morgan, an African-American, invented the traffic light. After this discussion, cover a graham cracker with icing and give each child a red and green candy to place on the icing. Let the children enjoy "traffic light" snacks.
Start the day by asking the children how many of them like peanuts. Then ask them how many uses they can think of for peanuts, such as in candy or in peanut butter. Talk with the children about George Washington Carver and how he spent most of his life working with peanuts. After the discussion, the children can plant a peanut, that has not been roasted, in a baggie with a damp paper towel. Raw peanuts can usually be found in health food stores. Seal the baggie then leave the baggie in a warm spot. Let the children look at the peanut every day to see if there is any change.
The kazoo was first created and played by African-Americans. Give the children a chance to create kazoos of their own. Give each child a toilet paper roll to decorate. Punch a hole about half an inch down the tube. Place a circle of wax paper over one end and then secure the wax paper with a rubber band. Now each child can create her own music by humming into the open end of the kazoo.
There are many books that three and four year old children may enjoy hearing this month. Some of them are "Pretty Brown Face" by Andrea and Brian Pinkney, and "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters" by John Steptoe. See Reference 1 and 2 for more ideas for books and activities to celebrate this month.