As well as setting off on aventuras with old and new amigos, one of the most exciting things about the start of our new school year is that it always coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month!

Why is this valuable? It enrichens all our lives to learn of cultures and traditions other than our own, embrace those of other heritages, hear their stories and appreciate their contributions to our country! ❤ When we do so, we are in fact helping kids understand what cultural diversity looks and feels like - and helping them recognize its value.

Music (make your own playlist!)

• Buenos dias greetings song, by José Luis-Orosco

• 10 deditos counting song

• Nos vamos en avión(Let’s go on a plane around the world!) song

• América, baila (America, dance!), by Rudy Regalado & Chévere

• Una tortillita para mi Mamá (A tortilla for my Mom)

• Sun, sun, Ba, Ba, E (a song about the tiny, Cuban hummingbird - el zunzún)

• Guantanamera (by Celia Cruz) - play along with homemade tumbadoras

• El coquí ( a song about the famous Puerto Rican frog, el coquí)

• Con güiro y pandareta (play along with a güiro and a tamborine!)

Stories (read-aloud links included!)

• Pepe and the Parade (a boy of Mexican heritage enjoys a parade with his friends and family from all over the Spanish speaking world)

• Me llamo Celia (Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa, born in Cuba)

• El coquí (a little boy moves with his family from Puerto Rico to NYC)

• ¡Nos vamos a México! (Let’s go to Mexico!)

• ¡Fiesta! (Some children gather supplies and make a home-made piñata)

Crafts to make at home

• Move over playdoh! Try our homemade masa for tortillas…just two ingredients! Don’t forget to sing the tortillas song as you pat and knead the dough!

• Make musical instruments!

  • a Puerto Rican güiro from a water bottle

  • a simple Cuban tumbadora (drum) using a plastic cup and tape

• Explore the 21 Spanish speaking countries/territories with this wonderful free, card game and some printable flags! Great for older kids, too!

  More fun aventuras to try at home

• Paint your own Mexican folk art amate painting

• Read the amazing stories of inspiring Hispanic/Latinx Americans

• Listen to this “fiesta of Latin American music”, from Putamayo Kids

• Watch a video of a couple dancing la salsa cubana (la timba) in Detroit, Michigan

• Try a delicious Guatemalan recipe - bananas with sweet cream. Yum!

  ¡Qué rico!

• Does your family have Hispanic or Latinx heritage? Here are some special ways to celebrate this in your home, courtesy of Spanglish Baby.

• Take your young child on a tour of the Spanish speaking world, with Lil’ Libros board books

• Every Monday morning @ 11am: November 1st - December 13th

• Valley Community Center, West Des Moines

• Age 3+ (younger siblings welcome with an accompanying adult)

• Home materials provided

• Come and learn together, and often, for ultimate enjoyment and engagement!

• Free!

¡Nos vemos! See you soon!

Saludos,
Sarah

Questions? Comments? I love to hear from you! Email me anytime.