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4) Understanding different kinds of history - A parent can have a tremendous influence on how children formulate their opinions on
past and present. Those homes that include lively discussions of a political nature can set stage for a child to stay involved as an adult. However, a child needs to be given an opportunity to form opinions based on information from multiple sources. Taking a single news channel’s view of current events as gospel, is a dangerous thing. Children need to be encouraged to explore issues from various vantage points, and adults can even take a lesson from this. The same goes for looking at past. History is more than just a school textbook. Children need to realize that there are different kinds of historical evidence and sources - original records, historical narrative, commentary, timelines, in-depth studies, and geographical information to name a few. Don’t stifle their curiosity, and just keep encouraging them to expand their interests.
5) Home activities that are history based - There are number of hands-on activities a parent can do with a child at home that involve history but won’t seem like history. In studying other cultures and eras one of most interesting parts of that study is art. Studying and replicating some of art from a historical period can be a fun family activity. Of course, Internet is an inexpensive way to bring art into home. In addition, cooking foods together from other cultures can also be a good learning experience. It is practical, too, because you have to eat anyway.
6) School connections - Finally, find out what history or social studies curriculum is for your child’s grade level. Try to support those topics through home activities and discussions. By talking to your child’s teacher, checking school district web site, or reading state department of education curriculum frameworks, an outline of year’s goals and objectives can be obtained. This information should be useful in making parent support timely and relevant.
Get involved in fun and educational activities with your child. You will both benefit from experiences and strengthen your relationship at same time. Turn off TV at designated times and do something of real value as a family. If you make an effort to spend quality time in helping your child embrace educational activities, you’ll never again feel need to sing, “Don’t know much about history…”
See acclaimed Helping Your Child publication series of 9 booklets including Helping Your Child Learn History at: http://www.sbmag.org/Helping_Your_Child/Help_Your_Child_Index.html
No permission is needed to reproduce this story along as About The Author statement remains in tact and includes hot links. mailto:barb@sbmag.org
Barbara Snyder is a retired California Distinguished School Principal and Coordinator For Human Resources. She has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She holds elementary education, secondary, community college, and administrative credentials. She is currently the publisher of http://EducationResourcesNetwork.com, co-publisher of Strictly Business Magazine, http://www.sbmag.org and Student Teacher Supervisor at Chapman University.
