Celebrating Pride Month: A Preschool Guide

June is Pride Month here in the UK, the most prominent amongst Festivals that celebrates our rich and diverse culture. But it should act as a salutary reminder that these rights were hard fought for, and only recently won. Culture - what we, as a society think and feel in the mainstream - has progressed so much in the past few decades to move away from bigotry to, generally, being a more open and inclusive place. You only have to look at the long-term trends from the British Social Attitudes Survey from NatCen to see that. But we should also be aware of how easy they would be to see slip away. So this month we've been celebrating what we've gained, and looking to ensure that our next generation never falls back into bad habits...

What is Pride?

Hello, little friends! Have you ever seen lots of colourful rainbows and happy people celebrating together? They might be celebrating something very special called Pride! Pride is a time when people come together to celebrate love, inclusivity, and being proud of who they are. It happens every year, especially in June, which is known as Pride Month. But what exactly is Pride, and why is it so important? Let's find out together!

A Journey to the Past: The History of Pride

A long time ago, people who were different in who they loved or how they felt inside were not always treated kindly. This made many people feel sad and left out. In 1969, something very important happened in a place called New York City, far away from the UK. People gathered at a place called the Stonewall Inn to stand up for their rights and show that everyone should be treated equally, no matter who they love or how they feel inside.

This was the beginning of the Pride movement. Over time, people all over the world, including here in the UK, started to celebrate Pride to show that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. It's a time to celebrate love, inclusivity, and the beautiful diversity of all people.

Why is Pride Important?

Pride is important because it reminds us that everyone should be proud of who they are. It's a time to celebrate all the different ways people can love and express themselves. It's also a reminder that everyone deserves to feel safe and accepted, no matter their differences.

What Can We Learn from Pride?

Even though we're preschoolers, there are some important lessons we can learn from Pride that are good for everyone, no matter how young or old you are.

1. Inclusivity: This means making sure everyone feels welcome and included, just like how we make sure everyone gets to play the games and join in the fun at preschool.  
2. Diversity: This means celebrating all the different ways people can be. Just like how there are many different colours in a rainbow, there are many different kinds of people in the world. Each person is special in their own way.
3. Equality: This means treating everyone the same, no matter who they are or who they love. At preschool, this might mean sharing our toys equally or making sure everyone has a turn on the swing.

4. Being Proud of Who You Are: Pride teaches us that it's okay to be different and that we should be proud of who we are. Whether you like to dance, draw, or play outside, everyone has something special to offer.

Fun Ways to Celebrate Pride

There are lots of fun ways we can celebrate Pride and learn about inclusivity, diversity, and equality, even at a young age!

• Rainbow Crafts: Make your own rainbow with colourful paper, crayons, or paint. You can hang it up to remind you of all the beautiful differences in the world
• Story Time: Read books about different families and friendships. There are many stories that show how wonderful it is to be different and to love each other.
• Sing and Dance: Have a dance party with lots of colourful scarves and music. Dancing together is a fun way to celebrate our differences.
• Kindness Activities: Practice being kind and inclusive with your friends. This could be sharing your toys, inviting someone to play, or giving a big hug to someone who feels left out.

Conclusion

Pride is a wonderful time to learn about love, inclusivity, diversity, and equality. It reminds us that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, no matter who they are. By celebrating Pride, we can help make our world a happier and more accepting place for everyone. So, let's celebrate and remember that being different is beautiful and that love is something to be proud of!

Happy learning and celebrating, little friends! 🌈