Did you know that celebrating diversity can transform a classroom into a vibrant cultural mosaic? As Hispanic Heritage Month approaches, educators and childcare providers have a golden opportunity to infuse their CACFP programs and classrooms with the rich tapestry of Hispanic culture.

Imagine the excitement on children’s faces as they taste authentic Hispanic dishes, create colorful artwork inspired by Latino artists, or move to the rhythm of salsa music. These experiences not only celebrate diversity but also foster cultural awareness and inclusivity in our young learners.

In this article, we’ll explore a treasure trove of ideas to bring Hispanic heritage to life in your educational setting. From mouthwatering CACFP-approved recipes to engaging classroom activities, get ready to embark on a journey that will make learning about this vibrant culture both fun and educational. 

Embracing the Flavors of Hispanic Cuisine

One of the most engaging ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month is by incorporating authentic Hispanic dishes into CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) menus. This approach not only exposes children to new flavors but also helps them learn about the cultural significance of various foods. Here are 3 CACFP-compliant recipes from MyPlate to celebrate Hispanic cuisine with children.

Easy Oven Packet Caribbean Tilapia with Pears and Carnival Roasted Potatoes

Enjoy a taste of the Caribbean with seasoned vegetables, tilapia and pears, baked in no-fuss foil or parchment packets.

Ingredients

• For the Carnival Roasted Potatoes:
• 2 small red potatoes
• 2 small Yukon potatoes
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1″ chunks
• 1 cup green beans (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 Roma tomato, cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons chopped white onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Tilapia Oven Packets:

• 1 pound tilapia fillets, fresh, or frozen (4-4-oz tilapia fillets)
• 1 tablespoon salt-free Caribbean citrus seasoning blend
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 D’Anjou pears (medium)
• aluminum foil

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425 °F.
2. Scrub potatoes under running water, cut into 1-inch chunks.
3. In a large bowl, toss potatoes with other vegetables, seasonings, and olive oil. Spread mix in a 2-quart baking dish and place in oven.
4. Roast until potatoes and other vegetables are tender, about 30 to 40 minutes.
5. About 15 minutes after the potato dish was placed in the oven, put in a baking sheet with fish packets, prepared as follows:
6. Brush fish with olive oil, coat with seasoning blend.
7. Place each filet in the center of a square of aluminum foil (or substitute foil with parchment paper).
8. Cut pears into quarters and core; slice into thin wedges (about 8 to 12 per pear).Top fish with pear wedges.
9. Bring the foil over the fish and fruit. Fold and pinch the seams.
10. Place foil packets on a baking sheet. Bake about 20 minutes, until tilapia is cooked to an internal temperature of 145 °F, confirmed with a food thermometer, and fruit is tender.
11. To serve, carefully open the packet, slide contents onto individual serving plates, and add roasted vegetables.

Enchilada Rice

Add your favorite vegetables and any lean ground meat to create this easy dish.

Ingredients

• 1 pound 90% lean ground beef (or other ground meat)
• 1/2 cup onion (chopped, or 1 Tbsp onion powder)
• 1 can whole corn, low-sodium (15.2 ounce, or any low-sodium canned vegetable, drained)
• 4 tablespoons taco seasoning mix (dry, or dry enchilada sauce)
• 2 cups brown rice, cooked
• 1/2 cup cheese (grated)
• mushrooms, olives or any favorite vegetable (1/2 cup sliced, optional)

Directions

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Cook meat and onion until onion juices are clear.
3. Drain juice and fat from cooked meat and onions.
4. Add corn, taco seasoning, and rice.
5. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Add grated cheese to top; cover and let set for 5 minutes.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Picadillo

A fun flavorful dish that is full of veggies and lean protein and can be made in a flash.

Ingredients

• 1 pound turkey, ground, 85% lean
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 5 carrots (small, diced)
• 2 zucchinis (medium, or other squash)
• 2 potatoes (medium, diced)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• black pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 1/4 cups canned tomatoes, low-sodium
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Directions

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Brown ground turkey in a non-stick frying pan.
3. Add onions, carrots, squash, potatoes, salt, pepper, and cumin. Sauté for about 5 minutes.
4. Add tomato sauce and just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender.
5. Dissolve cornstarch in about 1 tablespoon of cold water, add to mixture, bring back to a boil until gravy thickens. Serve.

Fostering Cultural Awareness through Interactive Activities in the Classroom

Make papel picado decorations

One of the most popular decorations in Mexican culture is papel picado, which has become a modern trend at weddings and birthday parties. These stenciled tissue papers are typically hung like streamers, but creating small flags is an easy and fun activity for children to participate in. To make papel picado decorations, students will need tissue paper, wooden sticks, scissors (both decorative and regular), and adhesive.

The process involves folding the tissue paper, cutting decorative shapes, and attaching the paper to wooden sticks . This activity not only introduces students to a traditional Mexican art form but also encourages creativity and fine motor skills development.

Learn how to make a Papel Picado here.

Discover children’s songs in Spanish

Music plays a crucial role in language learning and cultural appreciation. Incorporating Spanish songs into the classroom can provide numerous benefits for children. Research has shown that learning foreign languages through music offers global cognitive benefits . Children can detect patterns in music, which supports speech production and reception . When speech and music are combined in singing, both hemispheres of the brain cooperate, aiding pronunciation, vocabulary acquisition, and language practice in context.

To make the most of this activity, teachers can use learning-inductive techniques such as movement, multimodality, repetition, and social interaction. Encourage students to make gestures, move around, and sing along to build positive associations with the language.

Here is a list of Spanish songs:

Los Pollitos

Somos Como Las Flores

Los Elefantes se Balanceaban

Si Estas Feliz

Read bilingual picture books

Reading bilingual picture books is an excellent way to introduce students to Hispanic culture and language. These books often feature stories that celebrate diversity, creativity, and family connections. For example, “Alma and How She Got Her Name” tells the story of a girl who learns to appreciate her many names and their connection to her family history. “Islandborn” celebrates creativity and diversity through the story of a young girl imagining the island she left as a baby .

Other recommended bilingual picture books include “La Princesa and the Pea,” a Latino twist on the classic fairy tale, and “Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale,” which introduces students to a new fairy tale from Cuban culture. These books not only entertain but also provide valuable insights into Hispanic culture and traditions.

Here are more Spanish/English bilingual picture books.

Conclusion

The celebration of Hispanic heritage has a lasting impact on children’s cultural awareness and empathy. Through hands-on experiences like making papel picado, singing Spanish songs, and reading bilingual books, students gain insights into the rich contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. This exposure to diversity at a young age lays the groundwork for a more open-minded and globally conscious generation.