Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 to October 15

Themes for Hispanic/LatinX Heritage Month change annually; for example, the theme “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One” emphasizes the diversity of the Hispanic/LatinX population and the power of community.

Hispanic Heritage Month originally began as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. President Ronald Regan expanded the week in 1988 to cover a 30-day period.

Celebrations begin in the middle of September to coincide with independence days in several Latin American countries. National Hispanic/LatinX month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, and Central and South America.

ChildCareED has several classes that address cultural competence, inclusion, and dual language practice. Two recommended starting courses are Building Bridges for Dual Language Learners Buy Now $25.00 and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education Buy Now $25.00. These courses describe research-informed strategies and classroom practices that may support your program’s professional development goals; confirm acceptance with your state or registry when required.

How can early childhood programs plan developmentally appropriate celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month?

Developmentally appropriate celebrations honor cultures without tokenizing children. To plan appropriately, begin by clarifying goals: representation, family engagement, anti-bias learning, and language affirmation. Use these operational steps in your planning:

1. Set clear learning intentions (for example: children will identify one cultural story or song and compare it to a classroom routine).
2. Choose materials that reflect everyday life rather than stereotypes: books by Latinx authors, music from varied Latin American traditions, bilingual labels, and artifacts families provide.
3. Center children’s languages by incorporating greetings, songs, and labeling in the home languages represented in your classroom. When possible, invite family members to share stories in their language with translation supports so all children can participate.
4. Prioritize process over performance: prefer small-group explorations (music listening corners, sensory tables with culturally relevant materials) rather than large, adult-directed performances that can stress young children.
5. Assess emotional safety: watch for children who feel singled out, and avoid activities that require children to speak about their identity publicly if they or their families prefer privacy.

How can programs authentically include families and community partners?

Family engagement is central to culturally responsive practice. Practical steps:

1. Conduct a brief family survey (1–3 questions) to ask how families would like to participate and what resources or stories they can share.
2. Offer multiple participation options (recorded audio stories, photos of family celebrations, shared recipes) so families with different schedules can contribute.
3. Honor reciprocity: compensate or formally thank family presenters, and ensure shared materials return home with the child.
4. Partner with local cultural organizations or libraries for book exchanges, guest readers, or multilingual story hours. This extends learning beyond one month and builds sustainable relationships.

For more ideas on family partnerships and classroom representation, see related ChildCareEd guidance: How can early childhood programs best support diverse families? and How can we create classrooms where every child feels represented?

How can I introduce Hispanic Heritage Month to preschoolers in a developmentally appropriate way?

Introduce the month through short, concrete invitations that connect to children’s lived experiences. Begin with a single, familiar bilingual story or song and follow with a small-group, sensory or dramatic-play invitation that extends the story’s setting. Keep experiences brief and repeated across several days so children can revisit and deepen understanding.

1. Set one clear, observable learning intention for the week (for example: children will name one cultural object and use one new word in English or the home language).
2. Use story-based scaffolds: read a short bilingual book, then offer related props or puppets so children can reenact scenes at the small-group table.
3. Favor child-led invitations over whole-class performances: plan 10–15 minute stations (music, sensory exploration, art) where children choose their level of participation.
4. Differentiate participation: include nonverbal options (drawing, sorting, sensory play) for children who are developing language or who prefer not to speak about identity publicly.
5. Document learning with photos and language-rich captions to share with families and to support reflection across multiple days.

Use these short, repeated invitations as formative assessment opportunities—observe each child’s gestures, vocabulary use, and problem-solving—and plan next steps. For concrete activity templates and facilitation tips, see ChildCareEd’s guidance on building cultural awareness in my classroom.

What classroom activities and materials support cultural inclusion and anti-bias learning?

Select open-ended activities that invite exploration rather than set cultural scripts. Examples include:

• Multilingual story corners with books labeled in home languages and audio recordings families provide.
• Music listening and movement sessions using songs from different Latin American regions; invite children to describe how the music makes them feel.
• Cooking investigations (simple, sensory experiences using culturally relevant foods) that focus on observation, vocabulary, and math concepts like measuring.
• Provocations that invite children to compare daily life artifacts (clothing, tools, toys) across cultures in a child-centered way.

See also: How can I build cultural awareness in my classroom? and How can programs use global events to teach diversity and inclusion? for activity templates and facilitation tips.

Which ChildCareEd courses and resources help staff build culturally responsive practice?

Use targeted professional development to expand staff knowledge and skill. ChildCareEd offers multiple courses that address aspects of culturally responsive teaching and dual language supports. Examples (describe, do not claim regulatory acceptance):

• Cultures in the Classroom Buy Now $24.00 — materials and activities for meaningful cultural representation.

Training may support your program’s professional learning plan; confirm with your state licensing agency or registry whether any course meets a specific required topic or hour requirement before claiming compliance.

Additional ChildCareEd articles that address classroom practice and celebrating diversity include: How can we celebrate diversity and inclusion in California early childhood classrooms?, and How can Minnesota child care settings support Dual Language Learners?.

Summary: How can you plan an inclusive Hispanic Heritage Month?

Plan with intention: set learning goals, center family voice, prioritize children’s languages and emotional safety, and choose materials that reflect real lives rather than stereotypes. Use short-term events as entry points to longer-term representation and anti-bias work. Pair classroom actions with staff training to build shared understanding.

If you work in California or Minnesota, consult your state licensing guidance and workforce registry for any topic- or hour-specific requirements. See ChildCareEd’s state-specific guidance for more state-centered implementation ideas: How can we celebrate diversity and inclusion in California early childhood classrooms? and How can Minnesota child care settings support Dual Language Learners?. Contact your state licensing agency or registry to confirm current regulatory acceptance before claiming courses as meeting a requirement.

For practical, course-based professional development, review the ChildCareEd courses listed above and confirm any regulatory requirements with your state or registry.

Building Bridges for Dual Language Learners Buy Now $25.00

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education Buy Now $25.00

Cultures in the Classroom Buy Now $24.00

Strength in Differences: Cultural Diversity Buy Now $24.00

*Archived from ChildCareEd's newsletter

Link: https://conta.cc/3tfchYV

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