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Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day on January 16!

Remembering Dr. King is an opportunity for you to instill a sense of citizenship in your children.

By KIDS FIRST! for DVD synopses. January 11, 2012

 Monday, January 16, 2012 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his life's work to make the country a better place for all.  In 1994, Congress designated the MLK Jr. holiday as a national day of service, and it is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service - a "day on, not a day off."  The MLK Day of Service is part of  United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative, which asks all Americans from all walks of life to come together to solve the nation's most pressing problems.

Led by the efforts of the Corporation for National and Community Service, service on MLK Jr. Day is meant to meet a tangible need in the community, or a need of the spirit.  It is a way for Americans to "celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, bridge barriers, and create solutions." (www.mlkday.gov)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr reminds us of the importance of being an effective member of our community and standing up for our beliefs. He also reminds us that non-violent action, though sometimes less effective in the short-term, will gain more worldwide acceptance and take hold in our society on a much larger scale than ever imagined.

On January 16, 2012 we celebrate the life of a man who taught us not to take our situations for granted and not to accept anyone else's ideas of right and wrong. No doubt your children will be learning about the man and his message at school, but be sure to bring some of this message back to your home.

From simple gestures, such as playing fair with a younger sibling or helping a friend at school, to larger ones, like volunteering at the shelter, the food depot, the humane society, we can make steps everyday to become better citizens. Think about one small thing you can do to help this year, and by all means, please click the comments button to share your ideas. You can get some great ideas and information on volunteering atwww.mlkday.gov.

If you're stuck at home on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there are some good DVDs to help spark discussions about this important piece of American history. Here are some favorites from the KIDS FIRST! library.

Global Wonders African American

GLOBAL WONDERS AFRICAN-AMERICAN

Embarking on an exciting treasure hunt using the power of imagination, the playroom is transformed into a world of dreams and discoveries highlighting the fascinating and influential culture of the African-American family. 38 minutes long, from Global Wonders. KIDS FIRST! recommended for ages 4-6.

March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World and more stories about African American History

An entertaining yet educational collection of films celebrates African AmericanMARCH ON! THE DAY MY BROTHER MARTIN CHANGED THE WORLD

History. The stories which together have won 15 awards including the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video, the Caldecott Honor, and ALA Notable Video and include celebrity narration by Lynn Whitfield, Michael Clark Duncan and others -- include: March On!: The Day My Brother Changed the World, Martin's Big Words, Rosa, Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad. The lead story March On!: The Day My Brother Changed the World is a moving account of the day when Martin Luther King, Jr. presented his "I have a Dream" speech to the world, written by Dr. King's sister, Dr. Christine King Ferris. As a bonus, the DVD includes an interview with Dr. King. 69 minutes long (each story varies in length) from New Video Group. KIDS FIRST! recommended for ages 5-12.

No More Baths!NO MORE BATHS

A KIDS FIRST! All-Star. Keagan McPhie puts beliefs into action to help aging neighbor Jake Bruin by galvanizing the whole community to be their brother's keeper. 93 minutes long from Feature Films for Families. KIDS FIRST! recommended for ages 8-14