How to Teach Kids About the Importance of Martin Luther King

The 15th of January, Monday, is a public holiday that marks the birthday of the world-famous activist and leader of the civil rights movement in the USA, Martin Luther King Jr. This day represents an amazing opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss the importance of  Martin Luther King Jr. with kids and teach the profound character-building lessons we’ve got from his life’s work. 

Many educators might consider the topic of Martin Luther King Jr. too complex for young children, after all, we have to explain racism, inequality, and the consequences of racial segregation. That’s why we made this guide, to show you there’s a way to introduce Martin Luther King Jr. to kids, even preschoolers, without overwhelming them. His life’s work represents a big and important part of American history that educators can’t skip. 

By focusing on his transformation power, his achievements, and his view of the world, we can remember him with respect and pass on his legacy to future generations. 

Why Is the Conversation Hard?

We began this article by addressing the fact that some historical lessons are hard, even though we should not and must not avoid them. There are several reasons why this is. 

Most of the time this is because there are some very dark periods in human history, such as Hiroshima, the Holocaust, and slavery. Other times, this is because the historical events are very emotionally distressing, such as the September 11 attacks. The life’s work of Martin Luther King Jr. has a little bit of both. He wanted to end racism and racial segregation, a dark period in human history, and was harassed and assassinated for it. We identified three challenging points when teaching kids about Martin Luther King Jr. 

The first challenge comes from the need to explain the world and the conditions in which Black people lived before the Civil Rights Movement. You may need to explain concepts such as racism, racial segregation, inequality, or white supremacy. Of course, when teaching kids, big words are not needed, although you should address these phenomena. 

“White people in America treated Black people very badly for many years. They didn’t allow Black people to live alongside them and made unfair laws that were not right.” This simplistic explanation is probably the best approach for the youngest minds. The older the kids are, the deeper you can go into the topic.  

The second challenge comes when you’ll have to explain why it was okay and considered a good thing when Martin Luther King Jr. disobeyed the law and encouraged others to do the same. Very young kids are constantly told that they should obey the rules, so sharing a story where the hero breaks the law and that is rewarded might confuse them or mislead them. Make sure to address this and explain that sometimes when the rules hurt other people or are unfair, we need to question them. 

Finally, the third challenge comes when explaining the tragic end of a person who only tried to make the world a better place. Kids might ask “Why would someone want to kill Martin Luther King Jr.?” After all, we tell kids that bad things happen to bad people and good things happen to good people. Without going into the political reasons of Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, simply explain that there are some very bad people who can hurt others, but the police are here to find them and keep them in jail. The last sentence is a reassurance to make children feel safe in their environment. 

Now that you know how to overcome the most challenging parts of the lesson, the rest should focus on the positive aspects of Martin Luther King Jr.’s movement, his goals, and achievements. The most basic approach is to explain who Martin Luther King Jr. is and what he achieved. 

Who Is Martin Luther King Jr.? 

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15th, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. The national Martin Luther King Day, which marks his birthday, is always celebrated on the third Monday of January, which is why it doesn’t fall on the exact day as his actual birthday. 

His grandfather and father were both pastors of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister. From a very young age, King Jr. watched his father stand up against segregation and many forms of racism and discrimination, which had a very big influence on the future civil rights leader. King Jr.’s father told him that even though he must live in an unjust society, he will never accept it. It was also he who encouraged King Jr. to become active in the Civil Rights Movement.

Instead of feeling resentment or hatred toward White people for the way he was treated, he took strength from his Christian beliefs and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. His environment, his family, his education, and his beliefs shaped him into the compassionate and fair leader that the world came to know. 

Martin Luther King Jr. was married to a woman named Coretta Scott King, who supported him and helped him on his life’s mission toward racial equality. They were married for 15 years when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Civil Right Movement

Kids should be familiar with the concept of civil rights, which are the basic rights every person has in a society. They should be equal for everyone without exceptions. However, in the past, Black people didn’t have the same civil rights as White people – the law didn’t allow them to sit together with White people on the bus, in restaurants, and in schools. This is why Black people organized and protested against the government. They wanted to be treated equally. 

Martin Luther King Jr. believed that the best way to raise their voices would be through non-violence and refusal to obey an unjust law, so he organized peaceful protests and demonstrations. He inspired many people by sharing love and understanding instead of anger and violence. He cared for his people, and they followed him. 

Using only his voice, Martin Luther King Jr. managed to transform our society, make it better for everyone, and change the unjust laws. Even today, he is still considered one of the greatest speakers in U.S. history. “I have a dream” is his most famous and influential speech, which he gave during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28th, 1963. 

Martin Luther King Jr.’s goal was to end racism and racial segregation, although he also advocated for the poor, against capitalism, and against the Vietnam War. This is why many people consider him a hero for all. 

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Achievements 

In his life, Martin Luther King Jr. achieved incredible things and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for peacefully and nonviolently fighting against racial inequality in 1964. After his death, he was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. 

His most notable contributions were:

Montgomery Bus Boycott – he led the boycott that lasted for over a year and ended when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public transportation was unconstitutional.

The March on Washington – King was one of the six people who organized and led the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. More than 250,000 people attended the March where King gave his infamous speech. 

“I Have a Dream” Speech – during the March on Washington, King gave a 17-minute speech that echoed all around the world and became one of the defining moments in the Civil Rights Movement, as well as an iconic symbol for equality and freedom. The “I Have a Dream” speech is remembered as one of the greatest speeches in the history of America. 

Birmingham Campaign – King also organized and led various non-violent protests in Birmingham, Alabama, which was considered one of the most segregated cities in the U.S. People there had to go to different schools, drink water from different fountains, use different bathrooms, or go to different restaurants, based on the color of their skin. Martin Luther King Jr. was even arrested and spent some time in jail during the campaign, but eventually, he was successful in ending segregation. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The tragic death of Martin Luther King Jr. that happened on April 4th, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, left everyone in shock and anger, which led to a nationwide wave of race riots in many countries in the US.

Not long after his death, a campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began. President Ronald Reagan signed on the holiday, which officially began to be observed in 1986. This year, on the 18th of January, we’ll honor the memory of  Martin Luther King Jr. for the 34th time. 

Since this day is all about equality and standing up to injustices, an excellent way to celebrate Martin Luther King Day is to go over some of his most valuable lessons or learn more about him and his cause through the teaching resource we’ve linked below. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Lessons for Kids

There are many ways for children to learn about and celebrate Dr. King’s birthday, but maybe the most meaningful way is to pass on King’s legacy to future generations. What better way to do this than teaching kids to dream big, use their voices for their beliefs, stand up for others, and spread love and understanding even to those who are different than them. Here’s a short description of the lessons that King taught each and every one of us, accompanied with an activity that you and your kids or students can engage in. 

Dare to dream!

The “I have a dream” quote is probably the most well-known association that people attribute to Martin Luther King. However, as we’ve seen in the previous paragraph, this quote is a part of a speech that was part of a massive March for jobs and freedom. 

What this speech can teach children is that no matter who we are, we can always dream of a better world or of a better life and we shouldn’t be afraid to say it aloud and pursue it. 

A good exercise for kids would be to listen to King’s speech and discuss it. Then, instruct them to think about their environment and what they would like to change or achieve. Encourage them to think about their dreams and, if possible, to create a plan on how to achieve them. 

You Have a Voice

Another amazing lesson that kids can learn for King’s life’s work is that everyone has a voice and they can use their voice to connect to others, inspire others, or even drive others to make a change. We’re never powerless even though sometimes we might feel like that. 

Following Martin Luther King Jr.’s example, encourage kids to think about how they can use their voice to make a positive change in their environment. Maybe they can encourage their classmates to donate food, clothes, or even used books to other students who need them. Depending on their specific situation, there are many examples of prosocial activities kids can pursue. The main idea is for the child to find something that’s relevant and important for them, which doesn’t have to be something big, then gather courage and self-confidence to actively pursue it. 

Stand Up for Others

Martin Luther King Jr. sacrificed himself many times for the benefit of his community. He stood for others even when he wasn’t directly implicated in the situations. This is because he knew right from wrong and wanted to help those who needed help and couldn’t stand for themselves.

In a school environment, children are or will be exposed to some form of social injustice. Typically, this is seen as bullying, social exclusion, humiliation, mockery, or racial and sexual discrimination. 

You can have an open conversation with your child asking them to try and identify a situation where injustice in their school has happened, who the victim was, and who was inflicting that injustice. Usually, authorities and popular students (those who feel powerful) start these injustices. But, just because the majority is silent or doesn’t do anything about it, doesn’t make it right. 

Encourage your child to show support to those who feel powerless and to refuse to be part of unjust actions. 

Spread Love and Understanding

Taken out of context, standing up to someone might be interpreted as arguing, revolting, or even reacting violently. Make sure to analyze Martin Luther King Jr.’s actions and motivations, so children can understand why they were so powerful and successful, which is their nonviolent and peaceful nature. 

It’s one thing to demand justice and totally another to punish those who were once unjust. Try to explain to your child that not everyone understands the consequences of their actions, and if they knew better, they may not have acted the way they did. 

Martin Luther King Jr. spread this message very loudly. On numerous occasions, he reflected feeling resentment and anger toward White people, but his education and Christian beliefs stopped him from acting out on his frustrations. Instead, he accepted everyone and believed that people can be better, which is the main reason why he was so successful in his mission.   

“Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Education is Important

King believed that education is of utmost importance. One famous quote from him goes like this: 

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Going to school and learning essential skills serves as a foundation on which our core values are built. Also, you can look at education as a tool that enables us to achieve our future goals. 

Ask kids whether they believe Martin Luther King Jr. could write such powerful speeches if he didn’t read a lot of books? Would he be able to organize peaceful protests if he didn’t learn of 

Mahatma Gandhi, who was his inspiration? Also, ask them if some of the words in King’s speech sounded unfamiliar, then together find the definitions and interpret their meaning. 

Teaching Resources on Martin Luther King Jr.

Fortunately, there’s an abundance of literature available online on Martin Luther King Jr. for kids. Here, we’ll share our favorite books and movies you can use to teach your kids about the importance of  Martin Luther King Day.

Books and reading materials:

• I Have a Dream speech
• I am Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer (preschoolers)
• Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford (elementary school)
• Martin Rising: Requiem For a King by Andrea Davis Pinkney (middle-school)
• Free At Last: The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Angela Bull (middle-school)

Movies and videos:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. I Have A Dream Speech
• The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Kid President
• The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – MLK Day! (Animated) Black History Month Video
• Our Friend, Martin
• Ruby Bridges

Worksheet bundles:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Facts & Worksheets
• Martin Luther King Jr Facts & Worksheets
• Civil Rights Movement Facts & Worksheets
• The March on Washington Facts & Worksheets
• Black History Facts & Worksheets
• Rosa Parks Facts & Worksheets
• Voting Rights Act of 1965 Facts & Worksheets

Before You Leave

Hopefully, our guide reassured you that the topic of Martin Luther King Jr. for kids can be introduced in basic terms and it’s incredibly valuable to teach kids the importance of this incredible civil rights leader. Aside from having a tremendous historical value, knowing about Martin Luther King Jr. will inspire kids and help them be better persons. 

However, if you’re still unsure how to structure your lesson, please follow the link to our Martin Luther King Jr. Day worksheet pack where you’ll get a lot more information and 20 pages in ready-to-use worksheets that will help kids learn or consolidate their knowledge on the topic. 

Furthermore, you can always check out our main worksheet library where you can find other worksheet bundles on similar or related topics. 

Finally, don’t forget to visit our blog as we regularly share new content related to children’s education and development.