Incorporating AAPI Heritage in Your Child's Education
May was Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) month. At Pacific Preparatory, we want to help your family celebrate and learn about the vast contributions of the AAPI community all-year round. Studies have shown that it is crucial to start teaching lessons about diversity early in a child’s life to reduce negative biases. Below are our recommendations of things you can do as a parent to introduce your child to AAPI heritage.
Explore Geography
Grab a globe or a map and explore the different countries of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Note to your child that Asia isn’t a single country, but rather a vast region covering different cultures, geography, and climate. The Asia Society of Texas hosts several “home adventures.” This online resource lets families and kids virtually explore different countries in Asia.
Read a Book
A great way to educate your children is to learn about the AAPI community through reading. Here are our picks for AAPI heritage-centered books for all ages:
Toddlers:
The Snow Lion: a Chinese Tale by Laurel B. Schunk
Festival of Colors by Surishtha Sehgal
Super Satya Saves the Day by Raakhee Mirchandani
K-5:
Dumpling Soup by Jama Kim Rattigan
Eyes That Kiss in the Corner by Joanna Ho
Dear Juno by Soyung Pak
6-8:
The Thing About Bollywood by Supriya Kelkar
Amina's Voice by Hena Khan
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
9-12:
Flamer by Mike Curato
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
I Was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharib
In addition to these, check out Lee & Low Books, an independent publisher with a minority and multicultural focus suitable for all ages and reading levels.
Eat!
As many of us know, one of the keys to understanding culture is through our stomachs. Instead of ordering takeout, The Gingered Whisk has ideas for kid-friendly recipes for flavorful and healthy dishes from around Asia. They recommend including known favorites for picky eaters and trying recipes with rice and noodles. Is it your child’s first time using chopsticks? Try these “training chopsticks” to start.
Explore History
There are several AAPI historical sites all throughout the country to explore. The National Parks Service has a list of sites on their website so you can plan a family field trip or visit. You can even explore some of the sites virtually if you cannot find one local to you. There are several museums that offer compelling exhibits virtually. Check out the Museum of Chinese in America, Japanese American National History Museum, or the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience for age-appropriate virtual tours.
Want to learn more about how we can customize your child’s curriculum? Please contact us!