Women's History Month in preschool offers a powerful opportunity to introduce young learners to the remarkable women who shaped history. This article provides childcare programs with practical activities, teaching strategies, and resources to celebrate women's contributions throughout March and beyond.
What is Women’s History Month?
Women's History Month is a national celebration held every March in the United States to recognize women's contributions to American history. Congress first designated Women's History Week in 1981, expanding it to a full month in 1987. Since 1995, U.S. Presidents have issued annual proclamations celebrating women's achievements across various industries and fields.
The month highlights often-overlooked contributions women have made to society, including figures like Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Sacagawea, and Sandra Day O'Connor. Canada also celebrates Women's History Month, observing it in October.
Calendar Template for Early Education Programs
Use this template to create a valuable resource for families and get them excited for events at your program.
Why teach Women’s History Month to preschoolers?
Teaching Women's History Month to preschoolers builds foundational understanding of equality, diversity, and historical contributions. Young children can connect women's achievements to their own lives, developing respect for diverse perspectives and experiences early in their development.
According to early childhood education research, introducing diverse role models during preschool years helps children challenge stereotypes and recognize that people of all backgrounds can achieve remarkable things. This aligns with best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion in early childhood education.
How do you explain Women's History Month to preschoolers?
Start by connecting Women's History Month to women children already know and appreciate. Ask preschoolers to think about influential women in their lives—mothers, teachers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, or doctors. Together, brainstorm ways these women impact their daily lives, such as ensuring they eat healthy meals, helping them learn new skills, or keeping them safe and healthy.
Once children understand how women in their immediate circle make a difference, expand the conversation to women who've contributed on a larger scale. Choose relatable historical figures to introduce, such as:
- Michelle Obama: The first Black First Lady of the United States who advocated for healthy eating and education
- Josephine Cochrane: An inventor who created and patented the first mechanical dishwasher in 1886
- Madam C.J. Walker: The first female self-made millionaire in America through her hair care product line
- Betsy Ross: The seamstress who helped design and create the American flag
Teaching the complete picture of women's experiences
When celebrating Women's History Month with preschoolers, present a balanced view that acknowledges both challenges and triumphs:
Acknowledge historical inequities honestly
Preschoolers may ask difficult questions about why certain things happened in history. If you discuss Rosa Parks, children might wonder why she couldn't sit where she wanted on the bus. When teaching about Susan B. Anthony, questions about women's voting rights may arise. Address these questions with age-appropriate honesty, explaining that throughout history, women and other groups faced unfair treatment, but brave individuals worked to create positive change. This is also something to keep in mind when you’re celebrating Black History Month in your classroom.
Celebrate women's brilliance and achievements
While acknowledging challenges, emphasize the remarkable accomplishments women achieved. Share stories of women whose contributions stand on their own merit—scientists who made groundbreaking discoveries, artists who created beautiful works, and leaders who built strong communities. Allow their achievements to be the primary focus rather than only the obstacles they overcame.
Include women from diverse backgrounds
Highlight women of different ethnic, racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds to show the diverse contributions women have made to American history. Children who see themselves and their communities represented in historical narratives develop stronger self-identity and appreciation for others. Move beyond commonly discussed figures to include unsung heroes who deserve recognition.
Women’s History Month activities for preschool
These engaging activities help preschoolers learn about women's contributions across science, art, literature, and other fields.
Women’s History Month books for children
Picture books provide age-appropriate introductions to women's achievements. Incorporate these titles throughout March and the entire school year:
- Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice tells the biography of Kamala Harris, the first Black and South Asian American Vice President of the United States.
- She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton shares stories of 13 American women who persevered to reach their dreams, including Ruby Bridges, Sonia Sotomayor, Maria Tallchief, and Virginia Apgar.
- Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist introduces Eugenie Clark, who dedicated her life to studying sharks.
Science-related Women’s History Month activities
Women have made significant contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These STEAM activities introduce preschoolers to female scientists and inventors:
Make an astronaut helmet
Celebrate Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, by creating DIY astronaut helmets. This activity lets children imagine themselves as space explorers.
Materials needed:
- Paper plates
- Construction paper
- Markers or crayons
- Scissors
- Tape or glue
- Star stickers (optional)
Instructions:
Cut out the center of a paper plate to create a helmet frame that fits over a child's face. Children can decorate the frame with construction paper, markers, and star stickers to personalize their space helmets. For an added element, print children's photos and attach them to printable astronaut suits, allowing them to picture themselves exploring outer space like Sally Ride.
Build a bridge
After reading Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge, challenge children to construct their own bridges using craft sticks.
Materials needed:
- Regular or jumbo craft sticks
- Cardboard
- Duct tape
- Deep plastic container
- Toy cars
Instructions:
- Roll out duct tape with the sticky side facing up and secure it to the floor with another piece of tape
- Place craft sticks on the sticky tape until the bridge reaches your desired length
- Cut the tape and fold extra tape onto the ends for easier handling
- Position the bridge over a plastic container (representing a body of water)
- Tape the bridge ends to the container edges to secure it
- Attach cardboard ramps on each side so toy cars can cross safely
- Test the bridge by driving toy cars across it
This hands-on engineering challenge develops problem-solving skills while honoring Emily Roebling's groundbreaking work.
Fly a paper airplane
Honor Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, by building and testing paper airplanes. Read I Am Amelia Earhart before starting this activity.
Materials needed:
- Standard printer paper
- Paper airplane folding diagram (optional)
Instructions:
Provide children with paper and simple folding instructions. Guide them through creating basic paper airplanes, then test how far each airplane flies. Children can experiment with different folding techniques to see which design flies farthest, introducing basic concepts of aerodynamics that Amelia Earhart would have understood.
Launch a balloon rocket
Celebrate Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to travel in space, with this exciting balloon rocket experiment. Begin by reading Mae Among the Stars.
Materials needed:
- Latex party balloons
- Yarn (approximately six feet)
- Drinking straw
- Tape
- Scissors
- Two chairs
Instructions:
- Tie one end of the yarn to the back of one chair
- Thread the drinking straw onto the yarn
- Tie the other end of the yarn to a second chair
- Position chairs far apart until the yarn stretches tight
- Inflate a balloon (don't tie it) and hold the opening closed
- Tape the balloon to the straw
- Pull the balloon to one end of the yarn (touching the chair)
- Release the balloon and watch it zoom across the yarn like a rocket
This activity demonstrates propulsion principles while honoring Mae Jemison's achievements in space exploration.
Art and literature Women’s History Month activities
Women have excelled in arts and literature, creating works that continue to inspire. These activities introduce preschoolers to female artists and writers:
Enjoy the ballet
Misty Copeland became the first Black woman promoted to principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater, one of America's leading classical ballet companies. Share her story with your class through age-appropriate activities.
Activity steps:
- Read My Little Golden Book About Misty Copeland
- Show a short video clip of Misty Copeland performing, such as this Swan Lake performance
- Create ballerina paper bag puppets using brown paper lunch bags, construction paper, and art supplies
- Encourage children to move like dancers, practicing simple ballet positions
This multi-sensory activity introduces ballet while celebrating Misty Copeland's barrier-breaking career.
Learn about braille
Helen Keller was the first blind and deaf person to earn a bachelor of arts degree and write a book. She advocated for women's rights and disability rights throughout her life. Honor her legacy by introducing braille to your class.
Materials needed:
- Braille bingo cards (downloadable template)
- Raised-dot materials (puff paint, glue dots, or textured stickers)
Instructions:
Create simple braille bingo cards where children can feel raised dots representing letters. Explain that just as sighted people read by looking at letters, people who are blind read by feeling letters with their fingers. This tactile activity builds empathy and understanding while celebrating Helen Keller's achievements.
Create paper flowers
Georgia O'Keeffe was a renowned visual artist known for her paintings and drawings of flowers and natural forms. After sharing examples of Georgia O'Keeffe's artwork, children can create their own flower art inspired by her distinctive style.
Materials needed:
- Construction paper in various colors
- Tissue paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or crayons
Instructions:
Show children how to cut large, simple flower shapes from construction paper. Children can layer tissue paper to create texture and depth, mimicking O'Keeffe's bold, colorful approach to flower paintings. Display finished artworks to create a classroom gallery honoring the artist's legacy.
Integrating Women's History Month into your curriculum
Brightwheel's lesson planning tool makes incorporating Women's History Month into your curriculum straightforward. The platform offers pre-loaded standards from all 50 states that you can customize to meet your program's specific needs and your children's developmental levels.
Using brightwheel's intuitive lesson planning features, you can:
- Create age-appropriate Women's History Month lessons aligned with educational standards
- Document children's learning experiences through photos and observations
- Share curriculum highlights with families to extend learning at home
- Track developmental progress as children engage with diverse historical figures
How do families support Women's History Month learning?
Families play a crucial role in reinforcing Women's History Month concepts learned in your childcare program. Share these suggestions with families to extend learning beyond the classroom:
At-home activities:
- Read Women's History Month books together during bedtime routines
- Discuss influential women in your family's history and community
- Watch age-appropriate videos about women's achievements
- Visit local museums or historical sites featuring women's contributions
- Point out women in various careers during everyday activities
Conversation starters:
- "What do you think makes someone brave or important in history?"
- "Who are women you admire and why?"
- "What would you like to accomplish when you grow up?"
Use brightwheel's family engagement features to share daily activities, photos, and learning objectives related to Women's History Month. This transparency helps families understand what their children are learning and provides conversation starters for home discussions.
Frequently asked questions about teaching Women's History Month to preschoolers
What age is appropriate to start teaching Women's History Month?
Preschool-aged children (ages three to five) can begin learning about Women's History Month through age-appropriate activities, books, and discussions. Focus on concrete examples of women's contributions that connect to children's everyday experiences rather than abstract historical concepts.
How can I make Women's History Month inclusive for all children?
Feature women from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, and professional backgrounds. Ensure children see themselves and their communities represented in the women you celebrate. Include women with disabilities, women from different family structures, and women in various careers to show the full spectrum of women's contributions.
Should I address difficult topics like inequality with preschoolers?
Yes, but use age-appropriate language and focus on positive change. According to early childhood education experts, preschoolers can understand that some people were treated unfairly in the past, but brave individuals worked to make things better. Frame historical challenges as problems that were solved rather than dwelling on negative details.
How can I celebrate Women's History Month beyond March?
Women's history isn't confined to one month. Integrate stories of influential women throughout your curriculum year-round. When teaching science concepts, highlight female scientists. During art activities, introduce female artists. This approach normalizes women's contributions as an integral part of all subjects.
What if families ask why we need a special month for women's history?
Explain that Women's History Month helps ensure we don't overlook the contributions women have made throughout history. Many traditional history lessons focused primarily on men's achievements, so dedicating time to celebrate women helps create a more complete and accurate understanding of history for all children.
Celebrate women's contributions year-round
Women's History Month provides a focused opportunity to celebrate women's achievements, but these lessons should extend throughout the year. By incorporating diverse role models into your regular curriculum, you help all children see possibilities for their own futures while building respect for people of all backgrounds.
Expand your program's celebration of diversity by acknowledging other important heritage months:
- Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May
- Black History Month in February
- Hispanic Heritage Month from mid-September through mid-October
- Juneteenth on June 19
- Native American Heritage Month in November
