| Remember James Taylor's 70's song with the | | | | topics that include historical and current |
| lyrics, "Don' know much about history, don't | | | | topics. Children's enthusiasm can be |
| know much geography...". If you really don't | | | | contagious. Finding out what they are |
| know much about it, don't pass those feelings | | | | interested in and what they think is humorous |
| on to your children. It's not too late for | | | | can be eye-opening. Adventures can and should |
| you either. What you may have thought of as | | | | include local library visits, weekend outings |
| boring and a waste of time when you were in | | | | and family vacations. Vacations can easily |
| school, might be the very thing that a family | | | | revolve around historical perspectives |
| can build upon for family outings, vacations, | | | | because most every destination will have |
| and memories. After all, history is memories | | | | tourist information about he area. A tourist |
| and can be an exciting vehicle for a family | | | | pamphlet or book will include history of the |
| bonding like no other. | | | | area, sightseeing suggestions, and other |
| | | | insights. The Chamber of Commerce of your |
| Whether it be recorded historical events or | | | | vacation spot can be an excellent starting |
| local/family memories, these happenings can | | | | point, or a visit to a bookstore to purchase |
| be a springboard for conversation and study. | | | | a travel book is another source. |
| Not everyone is going to have the same | | | | |
| intensity of interest that will have them | | | | 4) Understanding different kinds of history - |
| running out to earn a BA or MA in history, | | | | A parent can have a tremendous influence on |
| but everyone has ties to the past and to | | | | how children formulate their opinions on the |
| other cultures. | | | | past and the present. Those homes that |
| | | | include lively discussions of a political |
| In order to lay out a plan for family support | | | | nature can set the stage for a child to stay |
| and involvement in history, think of using | | | | involved as an adult. However, a child needs |
| these six suggestions to help . These ideas | | | | to be given an opportunity to form opinions |
| include: researching family history; watching | | | | based on information from multiple sources. |
| educational TV programs together; having | | | | Taking a single news channel's view of the |
| frequent meaningful communication; | | | | current events as gospel, is a dangerous |
| understanding the different kinds of history; | | | | thing. Children need to be encouraged to |
| designing home activities that enhance | | | | explore issues from various vantage points, |
| history, and making school connections. | | | | and adults can even take a lesson from this. |
| | | | The same goes for looking at the past. |
| 1) Researching family history - History can | | | | History is more than just a school textbook. |
| be a habit that a family can develop, but it | | | | Children need to realize that there are |
| will take a parent's positive push toward | | | | different kinds of historical evidence and |
| developing an interest. An excellent starting | | | | sources - original records, historical |
| point is to begin with family history. | | | | narrative, commentary, timelines, in-depth |
| Sharing information and researching | | | | studies, and geographical information to name |
| information about past family members can be | | | | a few. Don't stifle their curiosity, and just |
| an exciting endeavor for youngsters. | | | | keep encouraging them to expand their |
| Beginning a family tree is logical way to | | | | interests. |
| approach the journey in looking at people and | | | | |
| events in a family's past. There is excellent | | | | 5) Home activities that are history based - |
| and inexpensive software than can be used to | | | | There are number of hands-on activities a |
| help set up a template for recording data | | | | parent can do with a child at home that |
| that has been gathered about past family | | | | involve history but won't seem like history. |
| members. Children really enjoy being able to | | | | In studying other cultures and eras one of |
| share some interesting tidbits at school | | | | the most interesting parts of that study is |
| about their relatives. What a way to hook | | | | the art. Studying and replicating some of the |
| children on history and research. What a way | | | | art from a historical period can be a fun |
| to boost a child's self-esteem. | | | | family activity. Of course, the Internet is |
| | | | an inexpensive way to bring art into the |
| 2) Watching educational programming - Take a | | | | home. In addition, cooking foods together |
| look at daily reporting and commentary about | | | | from other cultures can also be a good |
| people and events. Watching the news together | | | | learning experience. It is practical, too, |
| as a family can offer a multitude of topics | | | | because you have to eat anyway. |
| for family discussion and debate. Other TV | | | | |
| opportunities can include programs from the | | | | 6) School connections - Finally, find out |
| history channel or travel channel. | | | | what the history or social studies curriculum |
| Biographies are one of those things that are | | | | is the for your child's grade level. Try to |
| easy and enjoyable to which children can | | | | support those topics through home activities |
| relate. Watching programs together as a | | | | and discussions. By talking to your child's |
| family can be a rewarding experience for | | | | teacher, checking the school district web |
| everyone. Besides TV, atlases, Internet | | | | site, or reading the state department of |
| access, magazines, and newspapers are | | | | education curriculum frameworks, an outline |
| important resources to have available at | | | | of the year's goals and objectives can be |
| home. In addition, a family outing to the | | | | obtained. This information should be useful |
| local public library is another way for | | | | in making parent support timely and relevant. |
| families to access materials that relate to | | | | |
| history and current events. | | | | Get involved in fun and educational |
| | | | activities with your child. You will both |
| 3) Everyday communication - Daily | | | | benefit from the experiences and strengthen |
| communication is a must. Children love to | | | | your relationship at the same time. Turn off |
| have adult conversations with their parents. | | | | the TV at designated times and do something |
| Guide the conversations into worthwhile | | | | of real value as a family. |