Ways to Make Teaching History Fun for Your Child
In the wake of COVID-19, kids and parents alike have adapted to an entirely homeschooled learning style. Though most teachers still provided some supplemental videos, worksheets, and at-home activities, a large portion of the teaching still fell to the responsibility of parents. School may not be in session currently, but there’s still a long summer ahead of us. Instead of listening to your kids complain about how bored they are, keep the curriculum going all summer long. Learning doesn’t have to stop just because school’s out! Consider starting with a subject that will ignite your child’s creativity and curiosity about the world around them: history. This guide explores three ways to make teaching history fun for your child.
Create a Personal Connection
Children are often much more willing to learn when they feel that the material has some kind of connection to their personal life. Family photos and videos can be very effective tools for achieving this connection. Incorporating pieces of your family’s own history into your child’s standard curriculum can bring life to the information in their textbooks. Encourage your child to conduct interviews with older family members to learn what life was like for them at different points in history. You can also browse through old photo albums or genealogical documents to help teach your child how different moments of historical significance are passed on from generation to generation. This will also help teach them the importance of preserving your memories and make it easier for them to find ties between their own lives and that of their ancestors.
Incorporate Different Forms of Media
It’s long been said that art imitates life. As such, one of the best ways to make teaching history fun is by incorporating different forms of media and art into their education. Books, movies, music, and even comic books can provide interesting insight into life in various cultures or at various points in history. Settling down with your child to watch an animated film set in a historically significant time period is a great way to indulge in family movie night while still furthering their education.
After you’ve finished wIn the wake of COVID-19, kids and parents alike have adapted to an entirely homeschooled learning style. Though most teachers still provided some supplemental videos, worksheets, and at-home activities, a large portion of the teaching still fell to the responsibility of parents. School may not be in session currently, but there’s still a long summer ahead of us. Instead of listening to your kids complain about how bored they are, keep the curriculum going all summer long. Learning doesn’t have to stop just because school’s out! Consider starting with a subject that will ignite your child’s creativity and curiosity about the world around them: history. This guide explores three ways to make teaching history fun for your child.ith the movie or book, sit down with your child to discuss some of the things they’ve just seen. Have a conversation about how the lives of the characters in the movie differ from your own and try to tie in real historical events to the film’s fictionalized plot.
Explore Local Historical Sites
History truly is all around us. Therefore, providing your children an opportunity to engage with history firsthand is a great way to get them interested in the subject. Consider taking a walking tour of historical statues or landmarks near your town. Be sure to maintain proper social distancing measures during your historic tour, of course. Exploring a local museum is also a great way to get up close and personal with important historical artifacts. Many museums are currently offering virtual tours of their collections to help tide you over until businesses begin to open again.
