Understanding Latino Children and Families

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Understanding Latino Children and Families
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Latino is the fastest growing population in
Oklahoma
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Hispanic or Latino ?
Latino or Mexican ?
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Culture is everything that makes a person. It
affects how you see YOURSELF and OTHERS
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Family Dynamic
Child Bearing
Beliefs
Culture
Learn style
Attitudes
Decisions
Language
Food
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Some reasons for Immigration are

• Poverty
• War
• Family pressure
• Work

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Cultural Shock

• Family Dynamic
• Language
• Sense of Community
• Food
• Sense of Belonging

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What kinds of barriers or challenges do you have
with Latino Immigrant Children and Families?
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Possible characteristics of Immigrant Latino
children and families.

• Stress
• Depression
• Timidity
• Isolation
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Flexibility
• Adaptability

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What can you do to help children and families
feel welcome and accepted?
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Show respect - Incorporate the childs
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
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Do not assume. - Always evaluate childrens
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
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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
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• 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)

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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
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Remember Every child, regardless of sex or
race, needs to be loved, accepted and
respected.
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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 ones
own culture is the first step in helping a
child learn who he or she can become
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Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral
Association
Keila Garcia, Hispanic Services
Coordinator [phone] / 1-800-962-2772 kgar
cia_at_oklahomachildcare.org