Día de los Niños at the LA Zoo brings together families, educators, and Zoo Magnet students for a bilingual celebration that highlights the importance of culture in educational settings.
Día de los Niños, or Children’s Day, at the Zoo started with a simple idea shared by two committed individuals. Ms. Flores, the Zoo Magnet Spanish teacher, recalls how it first took shape.
“I remember going to the Zoo because I wanted to plan something with them [LA Zoo staff]. I wanted to collaborate more,” Flores says. They initially started with reading books to children in English and Spanish. Three years ago, this changed.
What started as “cuenta cuentos,” or a bilingual story time at the zoo, eventually evolved into Día de los Niños. It was able to flourish thanks to its other founder, Coral Barreiro, who is the Manager of Community Programs/Partnerships at the Zoo.
For Barreiro, the stakes of the day are personal. “Being the city with the second largest population of Mexicans outside of Mexico, a lot of immigrants–and me as a second generation immigrant– still celebrate Children’s Day,” she says. She says that it is essential, now more than ever, to show marginalized communities that they are welcome.
“There’s a lot of us here, a lot of children of immigrants and immigrants themselves that find that their customs are still being celebrated here, it shows that they’re being seen,” she explains. This event carries deep weight for Barreiro and many others.
During the weekend, the L.A. Zoo brings in Aztec dancers and folklórico dancers to perform for zoo attendees. Their intricate dances bring the zoo to life with cultural music and beautiful colors.
Barreiro explains that her favorite part is seeing the smiling custodial staff taking pictures with the Aztec dancers in their full regalia. Guests lined up for pictures with the dancers as well—both children and adults alike excited for the opportunity.
Other activities offered included a pretend veterinary clinic where children could bring their plushies to receive a check up. Additionally, there was an arts and crafts station where kids could create vibrant jaguar masks.
Students from the Zoo Magnet also play a significant role in the celebration. Erick Morales, a junior from the Magnet, says his role was to help at the interactive tables by teaching guests about showcased animals like jaguars, cheetahs, and ocelots. Other highlights at the zoo during the event are axolotls and peninsular pronghorns, since they are native to Mexico.
“I see this as an opportunity for me to be able to help make people happy,” Morales admits. He says this gives him a way to “improve public speaking skills.” He finds there to be many benefits for Zoo students who take part in Día de los Niños.
Arianna Lopez, another junior at the Zoo Magnet, believes the event was a success. “A lot of people attended the events that were there, and I think they all enjoyed the book readings.” Lopez states. She says that she “helped out in a station with making bracelets” as her role for the day.
The holiday began in Mexico after World War I, to promote the wellbeing of young kids. It became a recurring tradition in many Mexican and Mexican American households, and it brings communities together, no matter where they may be from.
Overall, Día de los Niños is an important day for youth in Los Angeles. It provides a place in our community for historically underrepresented groups. It is an inspiring yet educational experience for the public.
