Learn Together

Cultural awareness and tradition play important roles in helping young children develop a positive sense of identity and confidence.

Materials

  • Computer, tablet, or phone to watch the video
  • Printed family photos
  • Drawings of family members and events
  • Cardboard, cardstock, or heavyweight paper
  • Yarn or string
  • Markers or crayons
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Magazines and newspaper (for additional pictures and words)
  • Felt or fabric (optional)

Make Together

Enjoy Callaloo: The Trickster and the Magic Quilt read by Author Marjuan Canady below or on YouTube.

Friends Zoe and Winston meet Bruh Rabbit, who tricks them into handing over Grandma’s family quilt. They learn they are not the only ones who have been tricked. What other animal friends do they meet? What did Bruh Rabbit take from them? Why are these items so important to each animal?

Zoe and Winston learn “you have to look back in order to move forward”.

Create a family quilt of memories.

  1. Gather 6 pieces of cardboard, cardstock, or heavyweight paper. You can also use felt or fabric.
  2. Cut these pieces into equal-sized squares. These will be your quilt squares.
  3. With a hole punch, or carefully with scissors, make a hole in each corner of your quilt squares.
  4. Using string or yarn, connect each quilt square by tying them by the holes in each corner.
  5. Once you have built your quilt, decorate and color each piece with a special memory or an important moment in your family history.
  6. Add drawings of your family or printed photos. Collage pictures and words from magazines to describe family memories.
  7. Once you have finished, hang up your quilt and retell stories from your family history. You don’t have to stop at 6 quilt squares. Your quilt can keep growing by adding more stories.

Learn more about Callaloo Kids and enjoy more stories and songs.