Mês Nacional da Herança Árabe-Americana: Hora da História na Pré-escola e Mais

As National Arab American Heritage Month is upon us this April, now is a great time to honor traditions and educate preschoolers about Arab Americans. National Arab American Heritage Month began in 2017 with a congressional resolution in 2019 and official recognition from the President of the US in 2022. The month gives homage to the contributions of Arab Americans and honors their cultural heritage, as Arabs have been immigrating to the US for centuries. 

Arab is both a cultural and linguistic term and is used to describe people who are ethnically connected to one of the 22 Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. There are approximately 3.7 million people who identify as Arab American in the U.S., the vast majority of whom are native born. Denver is home to nearly 7,500 people who have Arab heritage. 

Denver Preschool Program (DPP) has compiled resources for educators and caregivers to help your preschooler learn about and honor Arab American heritage. 

• Arab American Reading Lists for Preschoolers 
  • 15 Children’s Books by Arab American Authors
  • 46 Children’s Books that Celebrate Arab Heritage
• From cultural celebration events to learning Arabic words, the Arab American Foundation offers a range of ideas to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month.
• The Colorado Education Association offers resources for caregivers of children of all ages, with age-specific reading lists, multimedia resources, and prominent Arab Americans who have made an impact on education. Check out their National Arab American Heritage Month resource guide.
• Denver Public Library offers Arabic Storytimes for kids ages 0-8 and their caregivers. For more information, download this DPL Arabic Storytime flyer or contact Milad Abdulla, DPL Arabic Services Admin, at mabdulla@denverlibrary.org. Upcoming storytimes include:
  • APRIL 12TH 10:30 A.M. at BEAR VALLEY LIBRARY
  • APRIL 19TH 10:30 A.M. at ROSS BROADWAY LIBRARY
  • APRIL 26TH 10:30 A.M. at VIRGINIA VILLAGE LIBRARY
  • MAY 3rd 10:30 A.M. at VIRGINIA VILLAGE LIBRARY
  • JUNE 14TH 10:30 A.M. at VIRGINIA VILLAGE LIBRARY
  • JUNE 21ST 10:30 A.M. at BEAR VALLEY LIBRARY
  • JUNE 28tTH 10:30 A.M. at ROSS BROADWAY LIBRARY
  • JULY 5TH 10:30 A.M. at VIRGINIA VILLAGE LIBRARY
  • AUGUST 2ND 10:30 A.M. at VIRGINIA VILLAGE LIBRARY
  • AUGUST 16TH 10:30 A.M. at BEAR VALLEY LIBRARY
  • AUGUST 23RD 10:30 A.M. at ROSS BROADWAY LIBRARY
  • SEPTEMBER 6TH 10:30 A.M. at VIRGINIA VILLAGE LIBRARY
  • OCTOBER 4TH 10:30 A.M. at VIRGINIA VILLAGE LIBRARY
  • OCTOBER 18tTH 10:30 A.M. at ROSS BROADWAY LIBRARY
  • OCTOBER 25TH 10:30 A.M. at BEAR VALLEY LIBRARY
  • NOVEMBER 1ST 10:30 A.M. at VIRGINIA VILLAGE LIBRARY
  • DECEMBER 6TH 10:30 A.M. at VIRGINIA VILLAGE LIBRARY
  • DECEMBER 13tTH 10:30 A.M. at ROSS BROADWAY LIBRARY
  • DECEMBER 20TH 10:30 A.M. at BEAR VALLEY LIBRARY

Learn more about Arab American Heritage Month from the Arab American Foundation.