Understanding Latino Children and Families

							Understanding
 Latino
Children and
  Families
   Latino is the
fastest growing
  population
 in Oklahoma
Hispanic or Latino ?




               Latino or Mexican ?
Culture is everything
that makes a person.

It affects how you see
YOURSELF
and
OTHERS
                 Family Dynamic

 Child Bearing                       Beliefs


Learn style         Culture            Attitudes




         Language                 Decisions
                     Food
Some reasons for Immigration are…


                     -Poverty
                     -War
                     -Family pressure
                     -Work
Cultural Shock…


  -Family Dynamic
  -Language
  -Sense of Community
  -Food
  -Sense of Belonging
What kinds of barriers or challenges
do you have with
Latino Immigrant Children and Families?
Possible characteristics of
Immigrant Latino children and families….

 -Stress
 -Depression
 -Timidity
 -Isolation
 -Irritability
 -Anxiety
 -Flexibility
 -Adaptability
What can you do to help
children and families feel
welcome and accepted?
Show respect:
 - Incorporate the child’s culture
 - Allow the use of Spanish
 - Contribute to their
       • self-esteem
       • learning process
       • tolerance of others differences

Show love and acceptance:
 - Be affectionate
 - Allow them to attach to at least
       one special person
 - Give compliments
Do not assume.
  - Always evaluate children’s behavior through
       their own culture
  - Evaluate your own biases

Ask questions:
   - Ask about cultural preferences
   - Ask parents how they do certain
things at home
   - Clarify values
Learn basic Spanish:
 - The family and child will feel you are
      trying to connect with them
 - Show interest in learning


Have some Latino staff:
 - Creates trust
 - Opens communication


Translate materials/resources:
 - Culturally sensitive manner
 - Families will get more involved
Add cultural elements to
your setting:
- Latino food in their menu
- Magazines from different cultures
- Hats of different cultures
- Multi-ethnic dolls/puppets
- Latino pretend food
- Bilingual puzzles
- Books (bilingual, no stereotypes)
- Posters/visual materials with Latino children
- Spanish music/songs and rhymes
- Musical instruments (maracas, drums, guitars)
The early childhood classroom
constantly provides messages about
WHAT the program values, and WHO
is valued, from what hangs on the walls.


                          “Everyday is
                        MULTICULTURAL
                         education day”
Remember…

Every child, regardless of sex or race,
needs to be
loved,
accepted and
respected.
Helping a child learn to socialize is essential.

Helping a child learn to write is essential.

Helping a child learn to read is essential.

But helping a child learn about one’s
own culture is the first step in helping
a child learn who he or she
can become…
    Oklahoma Child Care
   Resource and Referral
        Association


          Keila Garcia,
  Hispanic Services Coordinator

(405) 942-4179 / 1-800-962-2772

kgarcia@oklahomachildcare.org