Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th to honor the contributions, history, and cultures of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah is a non-profit organization offering volunteer opportunities in Utah that can help encourage children to celebrate, appreciate and learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month.
What to Teach Children About Hispanic Heritage Month
Commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month and appreciating the celebrations and cultures shared during this month are a couple of ways to teach your Little about the month. In 1968, Hispanic Heritage Week began under President Lyndon Johnson. Years later, the celebration was expanded to include a full month. On August 17, 1988, Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into public law.
The Library of Congress has a ‘National Hispanic Heritage Month’ website that includes resources for learning about Hispanic heritage, including exhibits, collections, audio, video, and national archives. All resources can be found here https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/for-teachers/.
Activities
Teaching children about Hispanic Heritage Month can be done in many ways. Knowledge of Hispanic heritage can help children better understand and relate to their classmates, neighbors, and community members of Hispanic descent. Here are a few ideas of activities for children to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
- Read a book based on Hispanic Heritage
- Visit a Museum with Hispanic cultural artifacts
- Attend a Hispanic Heritage Month Event
Teaching children about the history, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans is a way to foster respect and understanding for all cultures. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities in Utah as a mentor, please visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah website for more information.
