4 Reasons Why Children Should be Learning History

Almost everyone does some form of history in school - but often, it doesn’t cover as much as it should. Many people also consider history as a subject to be surplus to requirements. The truth is, though, that history can teach us a lot about where we live, the people around us, culture, travel, and more. And sometimes, the more children get access to learning experiences that involve history, they might find their own era in time that they fall in love with. 

Diversity

One of the significant impacts that history can have on children is that they can see just how diverse the world is - and they can get a good understanding of how it came to be how it is now. Even if we grow up in a location with a lot of diversity, it isn't easy to imagine just how many cultures, traditions, and people there are in the world.

Identity

For children who often hear tales of people back in their family tree, reading more about the era, watching documentaries and movies, history trips, and more can help them build a much deeper connection to who they are. As we grow up, we often begin this search - who are we? Where did we come from? What did our great-great-grandfathers do? These questions can sometimes be answered by looking at history.

Inspiration / Devastation

There have been some historical figures that truly achieved great things, many who did good deals - and let’s not forget that some of the best writers, poets, painters, and architects come from way back when. There is a lot that can be inspirational when it comes to history- however, there are plenty of people and things to learn about that are the opposite. When learning history, there are some stark moments that shaped the world as we know it - and not for the best in many cases.

Skills

The more you learn about history, the more you see how things like trains, electricity, and even the TV were developed and by who. But, part of the joy of history is that you can start to implement skills like research. Research is a skill that comes into play continually through life.

History, and the learning of it, are considered to be an academic pursuit that forces people to think, consider, and understand things that we often can’t see. One of the most important skills we can develop from an early age is critical thinking - and history offers children the opportunity to get a start. History is a series of events that are connected, and children can start as far back as they like and slowly trace the progress of technology, the movement of people, and the events that shaped the world.

A child’s learning journey starts early in their lives, and it is something that many will do throughout their life. One of the ways to get a solid start is to consider what type of learning your child will need and enjoy the most. Why not start with this post - Are Playgroups Necessary for Children?

This is a collaborative post.