Hola! September 15–October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, so let’s celebrate! Vamonos!
QUESTIONS:
- What is Hispanic Heritage Month? A time when we recognize all the awesome things Hispanic Americans have done.
- Like what? Language, food, dance, art, movies, medicine and more!
READ:
Read any book you may have that is written by a Hispanic author. Need recommendations? Some favorites include Round is a Tortilla by Roseanne Thong (to discuss shapes), Alma and How She Got Her Name / Alma y como obtuvo su nombre by Juana Martinez-Neal (to discuss the importance of one’s name), Dreamers by Yuyi Morales (to discuss the importance of both dreams … and the library!) and La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya (for a familiar fairy tale). The Lil’ Libros board books are great for basic concepts in both English and Spanish.
SING:
Sing the alphabet! Once you’ve sung it at least once, listen to it in Spanish!
COUNT:
Let’s count to ten in Spanish! For pronunciation, listen to Rosita sing it.
- Uno
- Dos
- Tres
- Cuatro
- Cinco
- Seis
- Siete
- Ocho
- Nueve
- Diez
CREATE:
Make your own papel picado! A papel picado is a Mexican craft where you cut designs into tissue paper, and then hang it up like a banner. It’s sometimes in celebration of Día de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead, which is celebrated on November 1.
Materials Needed: tissue paper in various colors, ribbon and scissors
Have your child fold a piece of tissue paper in half, and then cut various shapes and designs into it. Round the bottom of it, and then unfold. Repeat the folding and cutting on several other pieces, changing the design up. Once you have several sheets done, tape or glue them onto the ribbon, and then hang the banner up! Muy bien!
For additional craft ideas, check out the Coco Idea Lab by Shaina Olmanson.
MAKE YOUR OWN SPANISH BOOK:
- Staple papers together and have each page represent a different amount of something they like (it can be anything). Have one item on the first page, two on the second, etc.
- Write (or have your child write) the numbers in Spanish on each page (uno, dos, tres, etc.)
- Illustrate! Draw or cut out pictures for each page.
