Celebrate Juneteenth in Baltimore - post

Juneteenth, known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federally recognized holiday in the United States that honors the liberation of African American slaves. It is named after the date on which Major General Gordon Granger issued an order in Texas on June 19, 1865, announcing freedom for slaves. The name Juneteenth is derived from the combination of June and nineteenth and is celebrated annually on this day.

For early childhood providers planning culturally responsive Juneteenth programming, two ChildCareEd courses that can help with curriculum and family engagement are Montessori Cultural Activities Buy Now $24.00 and Bienvenido! Welcoming All Families Buy Now $16.00. These courses provide practical strategies for inclusive activities and family partnerships.

The importance of Juneteenth is rooted in the fact that it amplifies the voice of African Americans and represents their resilience in the face of historical and ongoing oppression. This day holds a special significance as it marks a moment of liberation for the African American community.

The City of Baltimore is commemorating #Juneteenth Weekend by displaying and highlighting African American fashion, art, music, business, and #culture. The event will be held at Druid Hill Park on June 17 and June 18, from noon to 9 PM.

Baltimore's AFRAM is a free event featuring local artists, business owners, and makers who display their goods, talents, and services to thousands of attendees. It is one of the largest African-American, cultural arts fairs on the East Coast.

Additional AFRAM events consist of the RUN-UP-TO Juneteenth 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk hosted by The SEED School of Maryland on Sunday, June 11. This event marks the start of the Juneteenth celebration in the city and is followed by AFRAM Restaurant Week. During this week, various food establishments owned by both African Americans and women will offer special menus for customers. You can also highlight and support women in caregiving and early education; see ways to recognize and empower women in childcare.

For more classroom activities, see related ChildCareEd articles: Teaching Kids About Juneteenth Through Activities and Crafts and Juneteenth Activities for Kids. These contain reproducible craft templates and scaffolds for conversations with different age groups.

Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the City of Baltimore are responsible for organizing the Baltimore AFRAM Festival, which began as a component of Baltimore City's Showcase of Nations in 1976. This exciting two-day event features a diverse range of musical performances, artwork, and creative expressions and is designed to engage people of all ages.

How can you teach Juneteenth in early childhood settings?

Many providers find Juneteenth difficult to introduce to young children. An age-appropriate, developmentally informed approach centers on simple truths about fairness, freedom, and community rather than graphic historical detail. Start by connecting the idea of fairness to children's own experiences (for example, a time they were excluded) and use story, music, and art to build comprehension and empathy. For background on Juneteenth's origin and federal recognition, see this concise history (New York Times).

What books, songs, and stories work well?

Use picture books and songs that celebrate African American resilience and community. ChildCareEd has several internal resources with age-appropriate activities and suggested titles: Celebrate Juneteenth with Kids: Songs, Stories, and Art, Juneteenth Crafts and Stories, and Juneteenth Activities for Kids. These articles include read-aloud adaptations, discussion prompts, and reproducible art activities appropriate for preschoolers.

Which classroom activities are effective and developmentally appropriate?

Practical activities include:

1. A simple Juneteenth flag craft (red, white, blue) that invites fine-motor practice and a brief discussion of symbols.
2. A community meal or potluck that centers families and shared traditions, with volunteers reading stories to small groups.
3. Music and movement sessions featuring Black musical traditions; see how to celebrate Black culture and music effectively.

To support curriculum planning and discussion of history and policy with staff, consider the ChildCareEd course History, Policy, and Practice in ECE Buy Now $55.00, which frames historical context and anti-bias practice for educators.

How can you link classroom work to Baltimore community events?

Baltimore's AFRAM Festival and related Juneteenth events provide opportunities for field trips, family engagement, and community partnerships. Local event listings document AFRAM at Druid Hill Park and associated programming — include festival visits or invite a local artist to your program to reinforce learning through real-world connection (event listing). For Maryland-specific program guidance and field trip ideas see Best Daycare Field Trip Ideas in Maryland.

Create a Juneteenth flag. The Juneteenth flag is red, white, and blue. It’s symbolic of the end of slavery in the US. Using red, white, and blue construction paper, you and your preschool class can create your own Juneteenth flag to honor the holiday.

Invite families to have a meal together. Celebrate the community of families and the children you care for and come together to honor connections and the importance each member brings. Have parents bring a dish to share and ask several parents to read one or two Juneteenth stories to the group; include translation or dual-language readers where possible to be inclusive.

How do programs ensure inclusion, anti-bias practice, and alignment with state guidance?

Build Juneteenth activities into your broader anti-bias and family-engagement plan rather than treating them as a one-off event. Use diverse books and guest speakers, offer materials that reflect the families you serve, and prepare staff with guidance on age-appropriate language. For Maryland-specific workforce guidance and field-trip considerations, see Daycare Teacher Certification Requirements in Maryland. If your program serves staff or leaders required to meet state director credential standards (e.g., Texas), note that the ChildCareEd Texas Director Credential Buy Now $256.00 course includes details about state documentation and licensing processes; confirm acceptability with your licensing representative before relying on a course for regulatory compliance.

How can programs safely include young children in Baltimore Juneteenth events?

Bringing young children to large public events requires planning focused on supervision, sensory needs, and licensing compliance. Before arranging an outing, obtain written parental permission and complete medical/emergency forms, confirm adult-to-child ratios that meet your program policies, and verify transportation and driver qualifications. Prepare a calm, shaded rest area and bring familiar snacks, water, sun protection, and a simple visual schedule so children know what to expect. Plan for sensory breaks and lower-stimulation alternatives for children who may become overwhelmed, and document learning objectives and risk-management steps for your program records. If families decline to attend, mirror the festival experience in-class with visiting artists, music, and themed activities so every child participates in a culturally responsive way.

Summary

Juneteenth offers early childhood programs a chance to teach about community, resilience, and fairness through stories, art, music, and family partnership. Use age-appropriate language, draw on classroom activities and lesson scaffolds in the linked ChildCareEd resources, and connect with Baltimore events such as AFRAM to make learning concrete. Confirm any state-specific regulatory questions with your licensing agency.