top of page
Search

Talking to Kids About Juneteenth: A Guide for Parents

Every June 19, communities across the country celebrate Juneteenth. It is a powerful and often overlooked moment in American history. For parents, it’s also a chance to have meaningful conversations with kids about fairness, justice, and what it really means to be free.


But how do you explain Juneteenth to a child? How much is too much? How do you start the conversation?


Here’s a guide to help you talk about Juneteenth with your family:


Start with the Basics

You don’t need to be a historian to explain Juneteenth. You just need to be clear and truthful.


Try something like this:

“Juneteenth is the day the last people who were enslaved in the United States were told they were free. It happened more than two years after slavery was supposed to end. Their freedom was delayed, but when it finally came, they celebrated.”

Kids can understand that something important was kept from people and that it mattered.


Talk About Fairness

Children have a strong sense of fairness. Tap into it.


Ask:

  • “How would you feel if someone kept a big, important truth from you?”

  • “What if your friends were free, but you weren’t allowed to be?”

  • “Do you think it’s fair that people had to wait to be told?”


These kinds of questions help kids connect to the humanity behind the history and encourage empathy, not just memorization.


Celebrate Black Joy and Strength

Juneteenth isn’t only about injustice. It’s also about resilience, creativity, and culture. Help your child see that Juneteenth is a celebration of Black freedom and strength: through music, food, storytelling, and community.


Talk about how families came together to celebrate, even in the face of pain. Share traditions like red foods (symbolizing perseverance), parades, music, and reunions.


Use Books and Videos to Guide the Conversation

Books and videos are excellent tools to support learning and reflection. You don’t have to explain everything yourself. Let stories lead the way.


Here are a few recommendations:


Follow the story with a simple activity: draw a picture of what freedom means, cook a favorite meal together, or ask your child to retell the story in their own words.


You Don’t Have to Have All the Answers

If your child asks something you’re not sure how to answer, it’s okay to say, “I don’t know, but let’s learn together.” Juneteenth opens the door for bigger conversations about race, history, equity, and the kind of world we want our kids to grow up in. You don’t have to say it perfectly, you just have to be willing to say something.


For more parenting tools, family resources, and free educational classes, visit www.lubbockfamily.org

Comments

bottom of page