Helping Your Child with History

Remember James Taylor's 70's song with thehistorical and current topics. Children's enthusiasm
lyrics, "Don' know much about history, don't knowcan be contagious. Finding out what they are
much geography...". If you really don't know muchinterested in and what they think is humorous can
about it, don't pass those feelings on to yourbe eye-opening. Adventures can and should include
children. It's not too late for you either. What youlocal library visits, weekend outings and family
may have thought of as boring and a waste ofvacations. Vacations can easily revolve around
time when you were in school, might be the veryhistorical perspectives because most every
thing that a family can build upon for familydestination will have tourist information about he
outings, vacations, and memories. After all, historyarea. A tourist pamphlet or book will include
is memories and can be an exciting vehicle for ahistory of the area, sightseeing suggestions, and
family bonding like no other.other insights. The Chamber of Commerce of
Whether it be recorded historical events or localyour vacation spot can be an excellent starting
family memories, these happenings can be apoint, or a visit to a bookstore to purchase a
springboard for conversation and study. Nottravel book is another source.
everyone is going to have the same intensity of4) Understanding different kinds of history - A
interest that will have them running out to earn aparent can have a tremendous influence on how
BA or MA in history, but everyone has ties to thechildren formulate their opinions on the past and
past and to other cultures.the present. Those homes that include lively
In order to lay out a plan for family support anddiscussions of a political nature can set the stage
involvement in history, think of using these sixfor a child to stay involved as an adult. However,
suggestions to help . These ideas include:a child needs to be given an opportunity to form
researching family history; watching educationalopinions based on information from multiple
TV programs together; having frequentsources. Taking a single news channel's view of
meaningful communication; understanding thethe current events as gospel, is a dangerous thing.
different kinds of history; designing home activitiesChildren need to be encouraged to explore issues
that enhance history, and making schoolfrom various vantage points, and adults can even
connections.take a lesson from this. The same goes for
1) Researching family history - History can be alooking at the past. History is more than just a
habit that a family can develop, but it will take aschool textbook. Children need to realize that
parent's positive push toward developing anthere are different kinds of historical evidence and
interest. An excellent starting point is to begin withsources - original records, historical narrative,
family history. Sharing information and researchingcommentary, timelines, in-depth studies, and
information about past family members can be angeographical information to name a few. Don't
exciting endeavor for youngsters. Beginning astifle their curiosity, and just keep encouraging
family tree is logical way to approach the journeythem to expand their interests.
in looking at people and events in a family's past.5) Home activities that are history based - There
There is excellent and inexpensive software thanare number of hands-on activities a parent can do
can be used to help set up a template forwith a child at home that involve history but won't
recording data that has been gathered about pastseem like history. In studying other cultures and
family members. Children really enjoy being ableeras one of the most interesting parts of that
to share some interesting tidbits at school aboutstudy is the art. Studying and replicating some of
their relatives. What a way to hook children onthe art from a historical period can be a fun
history and research. What a way to boost afamily activity. Of course, the Internet is an
child's self-esteem.inexpensive way to bring art into the home. In
2) Watching educational programming - Take aaddition, cooking foods together from other
look at daily reporting and commentary aboutcultures can also be a good learning experience. It
people and events. Watching the news togetheris practical, too, because you have to eat
as a family can offer a multitude of topics foranyway.
family discussion and debate. Other TV6) School connections - Finally, find out what the
opportunities can include programs from thehistory or social studies curriculum is the for your
history channel or travel channel. Biographies arechild's grade level. Try to support those topics
one of those things that are easy and enjoyablethrough home activities and discussions. By talking
to which children can relate. Watching programsto your child's teacher, checking the school district
together as a family can be a rewardingweb site, or reading the state department of
experience for everyone. Besides TV, atlases,education curriculum frameworks, an outline of
Internet access, magazines, and newspapers arethe year's goals and objectives can be obtained.
important resources to have available at home. InThis information should be useful in making parent
addition, a family outing to the local public library issupport timely and relevant.
another way for families to access materials thatGet involved in fun and educational activities with
relate to history and current events.your child. You will both benefit from the
3) Everyday communication - Daily communicationexperiences and strengthen your relationship at
is a must. Children love to have adultthe same time. Turn off the TV at designated
conversations with their parents. Guide thetimes and do something of real value as a family.
conversations into worthwhile topics that include