Four Fun Activities for Kids to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebratedconstruction paper that measure a finished book size
for 39 years on September 17, 2007. Enacted into lawof five by seven(a total of six pages stapled or bound
on that day in 1968, this Public Law set aside a weektogether is needed for this activity). If the children are
to honor our Spanish-speaking citizens. When the 100thold enough they can participate in the making of the
Congress enacted a new Public Law, the celebrationblank book first. You will also need markers, crayons,
period increased to 31 days, from September 15, 2008magazine pictures or newspaper food ad pictures, age
to October 15.appropriate scissors, and glue sticks.
The initiative for National Hispanic Heritage Month is anProcedure:
acknowledgement of the over 45 million Americans ofGuide the child in making a cute front and back cover
Hispanic origin. The 31 day observation period honorsfor this bilingual number book. Use examples from
the Independence Day for many Latin Americanbooks from the library or ones you have purchased
countries including El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua,over the years. Each page should have the numeral (1),
Guatemala, and Honduras which celebrate Septemberthe English word (one), and the Spanish word (uno) for
15 as their Independence Day. September 16th is thethe number you are working on. Assist the child in
Independence Day for Mexico, September 18th forfinding a picture that depicts the number of acertain
Chile, September 21st for Belize and El Dia de la Razaitem (one banana, two dogs, three pencils and so on).
(Columbus Day) is October 12th.Glue the picture onto the page that corresponds to
Celebrating and bringing to life this special time forthat number.
children who have parents of Hispanic decent isThe English-language number words in sequence order
important along with exposing our Anglo children toare one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and
how other cultures celebrate various occasions.ten while the Spanish language number words in order
Cooking is a social time in Latin American families, andare uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve,
making these quesadillas is a fun way to get the partyand diez.
started. Quesadillas are Spanish and Southwest inAnd this last activity is about appreciating the culture of
origin. The ones we experience in restaurants here inSpanish speaking countries. Children learn about
the United States are fine but are not true depictionsmaracas, an instrument from our Hispanic friends. In
of how the real Mexican quesadillas are made.this activity the children make their own maracas and
Quesadillas in Mexico can be found outside moviecelebrate to music.
theaters, stadiums, and special events with the mostMaracas help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and
popular quesadilla being made with potatoes, cheese,the culture and music of Spanish-speaking countries.
chorizo, beans, green peppers (rajas) and otherUsing old cardboard tubes, jelly jars, plastic soda
ingredients.bottles (anything that you can put a lid on and shake!)
Following is a simple recipe for quesadillas that allowsmakes this project inexpensive and fun. Find different
you to easily involve your children in their preparation.materials and different sized containers to create a
Cooking is a social time in most Latin Americanwide range of musical sounds that will allow thechildren
countries, and you can make it a social time with yourto create their own band.
family too!This activity is suitable for toddlers, preschoolers and
Quesadillas Ingredients:elementary aged children (with adult supervision). As
3 six-inch flour tortillasyou make these together put on some upbeat bilingual
Vegetable cooking oilmusic or Latin American tunes and party!
2 cups shredded Colby/Jack mixed cheeseMaterials needed:
One half cup finely chopped tomatoContainers with tops/lids to hold dried beans or rice in.
Cilantro(jelly jars, plastic soda bottles, cardboard tubes with
Directions:paper glued on as lid)
Lightly fry each tortilla in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil untilDried beans, rice, small shell pasta
crisp and golden, turning once. Sprinkle with combinedConstruction paper or white computer paper
cheeses and top with tomato. Put lid on pan and turnPaints, markers, glitter, glue, Spanish/Mexican theme
heat to low. When cheese is melted, fold tortilla in half.stickers
Cut each tortilla into quarters. Garnish with choppedProcedure:
cilantro. Serve warm with salsa if desired.Allow each child to choose their own maraca
We read the statistics on obesity among our youngcontainer and filler. For soda bottles you can insert a
children here in the United States. We realize the manycardboard tube that has been cut and wound tightly to
benefits derived from learning a second languagefit into the top of the bottle in order to create a handle.
during our early years. For this next activity weSecure the top to the handle with quality masking tape.
suggest using a song that is from Latin America or aPour approximately twenty dried beans, grains of rice
bilingual song that features both Spanish and Englishor pasta shells into the container (amount based on
during its play.size of container and filler chosen). Secure the lid back
This activity appeals to kinesthetic, auditory and visualonto the container. If no lid is available, make one with
learners as it encourages following the leader, verypaper and secure tightly with quality masking tape or
similar to Simon Says. Use an older child to be thetransparent packing tape. Wrap paper around the
leader, and have him direct the children on what to docontainer as desired for decorating purposes.
to match the song. Depending upon the song youSome children may simply want to decorate the
choose, it could be body part wiggling or chickencontainer with stickers. Encourage the children to
movements! Watch the young ones delight in theircustomize their maraca with markers, glitter, stickers
grasp of a new culture with new music and perhaps aand imagination. Once complete, have fun singing,
new language.dancing and playing with the children to various songs
This next activity is a Language activity, and it comesthat represent the Hispanic culture and bilingual songs
to life as the children create their own bilingual numberthat will introduce the Spanish and English languages to
book. The children will make a book/un libro that helpsthese young children.
them learn the Spanish words for the numbers oneBeing bilingual is no longer an option, it is a necessity.
uno to ten/diez. Reinforcement is the key to all learningCelebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with your family or
so find a cool bilingual song for kids that introducesyour class allows you to show the children in your life
these numbers in both languages if you can.that you value other languages and cultures. Set a
Depending upon the ages of the children you mightgood example for an open mind and open heart as
offer pre-made blank books out of brightly coloredwe bridge children together from all walks of life.