Some of the most difficult things to find in both traditional and homeschool curricula are resources for learning about Latin American history and culture. However, with a lot of digging, you can find some wonderful resources for K-12th, which I’m delighted to share here.
Why Learning about Latin American History Matters
Aside from a brief mention of Mesoamerican civilizations or the colonization of Latin America by Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors, there is virtually no information on Latin America available for students…especially in comparison to the amount of resources one can find on European history!
This is such a shame because our neighbors to the south have a rich and complex history that sometimes parallels our own in terms of freedom and democracy. And when our kids only get tiny snapshots of other countries and cultures, it’s easy for stereotypes to develop and spread. Plus, we miss out on a lot of fascinating history!
For example, did you know that ONE man is credited with liberating six(!) Latin American countries? Or that Costa Rica is a world leader in the development of antivenom, saving thousands of lives globally each year? Or that the word “Mayan” is only used when referring to the language of the Maya civilization (Psst! It’s NOT an adjective!)?
Websites for Learning about Latin America
There are a few websites that offer lessons or articles on specific moments in Latin America’s history. Some are pretty good, while others are cringe-worthy. Here are a few that touch on some of the significant events or people in Latin America.
Khan Academy does an okay job of teaching about early Latin American history under the topic of Humanities/World History. It includes brief lessons that are dedicated to:
But this last lesson barely talks about actual Latin American independence. It’s just a topic that is not well-known or understood by those outside of the region.
National Geographic Kids is, of course, most teachers’ go-to for teaching about Hispanic cultures and traditions. The website features articles, videos, and activities about Latin American countries, cultures, and historical events.
Don’t expect a very comprehensive dive, though. Each country gets its own page, with pretty short sections on things like Nature, People & Culture, Geography, Government & Economy, and History. The few sentences dedicated to each section barely skim the surface of the rich history each country has.
Kids Discover is a magazine and website. They have a few issues on Mesoamerican civilizations and offer lesson plans/activities to use with each issue. These resources are a little meatier in terms of content, but again, there are only about five issues, most of which have a Mexican slant.
Picture Books About Latin American People
Unfortunately, it’s super hard to find children’s books that talk about the history of Latin America. It’s easier to find biographies of historical figures, especially for younger kids. Here are a few picture book biographies that I recommend.
Cantora: Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin America by Melisa Fernández Nitsche
This is the story of an Argentine singer who found fame throughout Latin America for her songs about injustice and the struggle of the people. Written for children ages 4 to 8.
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown
Here is a heartwarming picture book that tells the story of a young girl who eagerly awaits the arrival of a traveling library carried by two burros in rural Colombia. This book tells the story of Luis Soriano, a man determined to help educate the children of Colombia. Written for children ages 5 to 8.
Courageous History Makers: 11 Women from Latin America Who Changed the World by Naibe Reynoso
Here’s a fabulous book that features brave women who have followed their dreams or fought for change and justice. It’s a great way to introduce young kids to historical figures and their inspirational stories. Written for children ages 5 to 8.
Martí’s Song for Freedom: Martí y sus versos por la libertad by Emma Otheguy
This book is a beautiful tribute to the Cuban poet and activist José Martí. Beautifully written, it is the story of Martí’s life, how and why he left Cuba, and his subsequent fight for Cuba’s independence. Written for children ages 7 to 12.
Must-Read Books on Latin American History
A few books definitely stand out for their diverse content. While biographies are great for learning about a specific person from a certain country, I love it when you can find books that introduce kids to people from different Latin American countries or that talk about events and culture. Here are a few examples.
A Kid’s Guide to Latino History: More than 50 Activities by Valerie Petrillo
A truly wonderful book that teaches kids about both culture and events through hands-on activities. It is one of the first books available on Latin American History and remains at the top of the list. Written for children ages 7 to 9.
Gaby’s Latin American Kitchen: 70 Kid-Tested and Kid-Approved Recipes for Young Chefs by Gaby Melian
One awesome way to explore Latin America is through food! And this book is your ultimate guide. It’s filled with recipes from all over the region, including Colombia’s huevos pericos, Argentine panqueques con dulce de leche, Cuban ropa vieja, and so many others. Written for children ages 7 and up.
Latin Americans in History: 15 Inspiring Latinas and Latinos You Should Know by Monica Olivera (me!)
My latest book came out last year and features historical figures from Latin America and the U.S. who have made a significant impact on history and society. Your child will learn about 15 men and women involved in politics, physics, poetry and literature, art, and more. Written for children ages 8 and up.
Engaging Documentaries and Videos
Passport to Latin America – Missouri State University and PBS joined forces to create this video series that takes a look at several Latin American countries. What I love about it is how it has included the frequently ignored country of Uruguay. I wish that it had included more countries in the series. This video series is best suited for middle and high school students.
CrashCourse World History is a YouTube video series that is best for older teens. It has a little more edgy presentation and parents should definitely preview the videos before sharing with their children. But it does share a lot more history about Latin America than many of the other resources. If you get to the CrashCourse channel, you can do a search for Latin America to pull up all of the related videos.
An Interactive Tool for Hands-On Learning
Google Arts & Culture Latin America is AWESOME! Truly, it is one of the best sites for exploring Latin American art, landmarks, and historical events through virtual tours and interactive exhibits. Unfortunately, it is simply a compilation of great resources, and there’s no structured lesson. But if you are into simply exploring with no guidance, this site is definitely worth diving into.
Curriculum and Supplements
Mariposa Homeschool Press is a homeschooler’s dream! MHP publishes timelines and additional materials that focus on Latin American history. Their Parent Resource Guide and Main Timeline is a downloadable PDF and comprehensive resource full of links to current articles, websites, YouTube videos, and podcasts, as well as timeline cards in different formats to best suit your needs. They’ve done the legwork for you and put all the credible resources together for each timeline topic. They also have mini packs on specific topics, such as The Maya: Calendar, Codices, & Writing, The Mirabal Sisters, and Selena Quintanilla. The age range varies by product download.
Educational Programs Specializing in Hispanic Heritage
Hispanic Heritage Studies is a growing online digital library for parents with modules and lessons for K-12 on topics related to Latin America and Spain. Topics come with printable simple or structured lesson plans, book lists, video playlists, activity sheets, craft eBooks, virtual tour checklists, and more. Older student materials may also include digital activities.
I originally created this program with Hispanic families in mind, but anyone interested in learning about the history and culture of Spanish-speaking countries will enjoy it. And ALL of the student materials (more than 2,000 pages!) are available in English and Spanish – you choose the language that best suits your family.
