How to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month With Your Family

Family looks at tablet togetherGrowing up as the child of Taiwanese immigrants, I often took for granted all the ways that my parents sought to help me embrace and preserve my heritage. After getting married and beginning my own family, however, I found myself wanting fervently to share these cultural traditions and norms with my children. There are currently almost 23 million people of AAPI descent living in the United States, and Asian-American Pacific Island Heritage month is a great time to highlight some of the culture, history, and contributions that this vastly diverse group contributes to our country’s ethnic landscape. Here are some suggestions on how to share this meaningful month with your kids right here in Houston, Texas!

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with Your Family

hand holding chopsticks picks up asparagus

  1. READ AND DISCUSS: Head to your local library or fill up your Amazon shopping cart with books written by AAPI authors. Instagram accounts @asianlitforkids and @hereweeread are great resources if you’re trying to find a starting point; The New York Public Library has also put together an amazing list.
  2. WATCH: Parents magazine has a great list of Asian American movies and shows to screen with your kiddos this month. Watch with your children and then sit together and discuss, creating a space at home where you can dialogue with your children about AAPI history and culture.
  3. LEARN: Partake in an Asian Heritage Tour hosted by the Chinese Community Center. These include anything from cooking workshops (dumpling making night, anyone?) to bus/walking tours. Connect with them on Instagram {@ccchouston} or Twitter {@ccchouston79} for more information.
  4. VISIT: Plan a trip to Houston’s Asia Society Texas Center . This museum was founded in 1956 and has branches in New York, Hong Kong, Paris, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C,… the list goes on. The Society was originally established to promote greater knowledge of Asia in the United States and there are a variety of virtual and in-person offerings to choose from just in this upcoming month– you can take a Korean language class, meet an author, or celebrate the Festival of Eid on the lawn! While you’re in the area, swing by to check out the Arts of Asia Collection on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
  5. EXPLORE: Go on a culinary journey! Food is an excellent avenue for exploring new places and flavors. Houston boasts a large and vibrant Asian community, and there are so many places to try in the “original” Chinatown or in Katy Asian Town. Another fun event coming up in May is Taiwan Yes Houston, a cultural event that highlights food, fun, and activities found in Taiwanese night markets.
  6. SUPPORT: Support an AAPI-owned business with your patronage- Good Housekeeping has an ever-evolving list of beauty companies, clothing brands, etc., where you can shop to show your support! Soko Glam and Mount Lai are two of my personal favorites.

We hope this post gives you a good starting point to launch your AAPI Heritage Month celebrations! Tell us below- how do you plan to share about AAPI culture with your kiddos this month?

Resources:

  1. How To Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Island Heritage Month with Kids
  2. Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month With Children
  3. A Teacher’s Guide to Celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month
  4. Learn How TpT Teacher-Authors Promote Asian Pacific American Heritage

Don’t miss The Cold Coffee Club’s tips for celebrating and honoring AAPI Heritage Month!


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