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Research shows that children who speak a language other than English in Latinx and immigrant households make up a significant portion of schoolchildren in the United States and the process of developing and maintaining the heritage language (HL) is complex when that language is distinct from their classroom's language. This chapter explores the motivations parents have in maintaining the home language and the effect this has on Latinx and immigrant English language learners (ELLs) children. The motivations for preserving home language for Latinx and immigrant families are to maintain ties to Latinx cultural values and sustain cultural identity while also providing academic support for Latinx and immigrant ELLs students in the U.S. schools. Research on previous works of literature documents that through family language policy (FLP) practices and HL maintenance, Latinx and immigrant ELLs children can maintain and carry on their cultural values while simultaneously advancing academically in the U.S. schools.

This case study examines Mexican-heritage children's learning to dance ballet folklórico. Drawing from an interpretive, ethnographic approach, we argue the practices associated with the dance exist within encompassing domains of meaning that are individually enhancing while also prosocial, encouraging membership to the folklórico group and broader cultural community. These domains are presented as "herencia" (heritage), "familia" (family), and "orgullo" (pride) along with a discussion of how they relate to access and equity in arts learning. [sociocultural theory, arts education, access and equity, participation, child development]