| Parents nationwide often times do not even know the | | | | young children. |
| meaning of or reason behind National Hispanic Heritage | | | | National Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect |
| Month. It has been celebrated for 39 years since | | | | opportunity to introduce children to the language and |
| September 17, 2007. Enacted into law on that day in | | | | culture that surrounds them every day in their homes, |
| 1968, the United States set aside a week to honor our | | | | preschool, daycare and elementary school setting. |
| Spanish-speaking citizens. Later the 100th Congress | | | | Research shows that children who learn a second |
| enacted a public Law which increaded the celebration | | | | language, even before they have mastered their own, |
| period to 31 days. This year National Hispanic Heritage | | | | are better readers, and that puts them on the path of |
| Month runs from September 15, 2007 to October 15. | | | | academic success. |
| The initiative for National Hispanic Heritage Month is an | | | | For National Hispanic Heritage Month, there are many |
| acknowledgement of the more than 44.3 million | | | | activities that will bring the message of understanding, |
| Americans of Hispanic origin, representing more than | | | | unity and commonality as all ethnic groups raise their |
| 15% of our population. The 31 day observation period | | | | voices in song and fun. Read on to find four that focus |
| honors the Independence Day for many Latin | | | | on food, fitness,language and arts and crafts. |
| American countries including El Salvador, Costa Rica, | | | | Food is an integral part of Latin American life. Cooking |
| Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras which celebrate | | | | is a social time in Latin American families, and following |
| September 15 as their Independence Day. September | | | | recipes specific to Latin America will bring Spanish to |
| 16th is Independence Day for Mexico, September 18th | | | | life for your child. |
| for Chile, September 21st for Belize and El Dia de la | | | | Continuing with fitness fun, allow you and your child to |
| Raza (Columbus Day) is October 12th. | | | | get up and move and groove to a bilingual song about |
| The Spanish language is an integral part of family life, | | | | not eight, not twelve but twenty body parts in Spanish |
| and 32.2 million families speak Spanish in the home. We | | | | and English! |
| find Texas leading the nation with 29% of residents | | | | Counting and language learning combine to make this |
| speaking Spanish at home. Twenty-two states now | | | | activity a favorite of parents, teachers and |
| report that their largest minority group is Hispanic: | | | | homeschooling families! Children create their own |
| Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, | | | | bilingual number book while singing a popular bilingual |
| Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, | | | | song for children about counting. The activity turns your |
| Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, | | | | home into a classroom immediately. |
| Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, | | | | Children learn about maracas, an instrument from our |
| Washington and Wyoming. | | | | Hispanic friends. In an activity where children make their |
| Why is this important to know and impart to your | | | | own maracas and celebrate birthdays with a bilingual |
| children? Because the truth is we live in a very global | | | | version of the Happy Birthday song. |
| society and it is our responsibility as parents and as | | | | Repetition and fun are the keys to learning. When you |
| educators to bring an appreciation and understanding | | | | add a little rhythm and a lot of motion the learning then |
| of others' cultures and languages into the lives of our | | | | becomes magical for our young children. |