History of Hispanic Children in Early Childhood Education

• In Event: A Historical Interrogation of Inequalities in Early Childhood Programs in the United States

Abstract

Latinos leave their homeland for the promise of a better life. They hold tightly to their culture and language (Tabor, 2008). Until the bilingual and multicultural movement in the United States, Hispanic children’s language and culture were silenced and ignored in the classroom and in the curriculum (Nieto 2005). We have made great strides in creating learning spaces that celebrate diversity. We now can see the shifts in learning spaces that include cultural artifacts of diverse Spanish-speaking countries and the use of the home language of Spanish in the classroom design as well as in instruction. These artifacts and the use of Spanish are the building blocks for acceptance and appreciation of what Hispanic children bring to the learning table.

Authors

• Ana I. Berdecia, Kean University

• Betty J. Liebovich, Goldsmiths University of London