Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th. It’s a wonderful time to introduce children to the rich and varied Hispanic cultures that have brought innovation, art, food, and traditions to the world. If you’re wondering how to best celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your preschooler, we definitely have a few ideas:
1. Highlight a Hispanic Hero
When your family is eating dinner together and sharing about your days, take a moment to highlight the life and accomplishments of a Hispanic hero. Your child might enjoy hearing about astronaut Ellen Ochoa, writers Gary Soto or Julia Alvarez, and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda. There are several picture books about many of these individuals, so a bedtime story about their lives might be the perfect end to your child’s day.
2. Try a Special Activity
There are so many different types of art associated with Hispanic cultures, including dance, theater, music, and visual art. You can introduce children by creating interactive activities to celebrate each area. Put up a big piece of poster paper on the wall to make a mural like Diego Rivera, or dance along to a playlist of Latinx artists. Even screen time can be an opportunity for a cultural celebration. Shows like Dora the Explorer, Nina’s World, Canticos, and Maya & Miguel all feature dynamic characters that kids are sure to love.
3. Eat a Delicious Meal
Introduce your children to Hispanic Heritage Month through their taste buds. Through take-out or at-home cooking, your family can enjoy empanadas from Argentina, ropa vieja from Cuba, Bacalaitos from Puerto Rico, or lomo saltado from Peru.
If your family is of Hispanic origin, Hispanic Heritage Month is also a great opportunity to spend a little extra time making family recipes like tamales, feijoada, or cachapas. Finish up the meal with some delicious chaja cake, Arroz con Leche, sopaipillas, or another sweet treat your family will love.
4. Explore Your Community
Your local town or city may have celebrations or events in honor of Hispanic Heritage month. Take a Saturday or Sunday to check out any event that looks captivating, especially activities geared towards a younger crowd. Not only will the whole family have fun, but these events are often a great opportunity for little ones to learn.
5. Introduce Your Child to Equity and Inclusion
Kindness, sharing, and appreciation help all of us feel included, and stories are a wonderful way to help your child build the skills of empathy and compassion. Check out westories.org for book-based family learning programs that can inspire conversation with your little ones. We Need Diverse Books also provides many resources for parents who want to learn more about equity and inclusion.
The Gardner School Celebrates Our Communities
Celebrating America’s rich cultural heritage can help children understand the wide variety of cultures, languages, and backgrounds that exist in our nation. Taking time to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month is one step towards building a world that honors the experiences of everyone around us.
With schools in six states, diversity is something that we celebrate at The Gardner School. Contact us today to learn more or to speak with a staff member about scheduling a tour at The Gardner School nearest you!