4 Ways to Get Kids Interested in History
History can be a difficult subject to get kids excited about. They often wonder why they have to learn about things that happened years (or centuries) before they were born. But as we all know, history has a way of repeating itself, and it is important to understand how we got to where we are today (and where we want to go moving forward).
There are several things you can do at home to spark your child’s curiosity and get them more interested in learning about history and the world around them.
1. Make it visual.
As the old saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Instead of just talking about the past, show your child pictures. Look at books and watch videos. Compare pictures from your childhood or your parents’ childhood to how things are today. What are some differences they notice? What are some objects they do and don’t recognize? How have things like phones, televisions, and cars evolved?
Visit museums and historical sites around where you live, or when you travel for vacation or to see family. Let your kids see for themselves where different events took place. Many places offer hands-on activities for kids to experience what things were like or to touch real artifacts. Get them involved and give them an opportunity to explore what interests them.
2. Make it relevant.
One of the hardest things about history is creating connections and getting kids to understand why what happened in the past matters now. You don’t have to go back to the beginning of time. You can start with recent history, such as the significance of Kamala Harris becoming vice president, how the events of 9/11 initiated change (such as stricter security at airports — no more walking to the terminal to see your loved ones off), or the rise of the Internet age. These are things that are affecting children today.
Talk about age-appropriate news stories and what they mean. Look for things that have meaning in your child’s life now, and use that as a starting point for taking a deeper dive into how we got to this point or what it can mean for the future. Go slowly, exploring a little bit more each time you talk.
3. Make it interesting.
Let your child lead the way. Research subjects that interest them, whether it’s space travel, technology, music, or certain people. Learn about historical events or famous people from your local area. Go on virtual field trips, look at books, listen to podcasts, play old-fashioned games, try foods that were popular years ago, or make crafts. Learning about history can be done in so many different ways.
4. Make it personal.
One way to get your child more interested in the past in to have them learn about it from people who lived it. If you have older relatives, start a discussion about how things are different now from when they were growing up — even better if they have mementos or pictures to share as well! Encourage your child to ask questions about things they want to know. How did they get information before the Internet? What toys were popular? What were some major events that happened? Learning about your own family’s history can be exciting and important.
Presenting information in a variety of ways can help it to stick. Crafting Scholars gets to know how each student learns in order to teach concepts in a way that makes sense to them, while keeping it interesting. Whether your child is struggling with history, or any number of other subjects, sign them up for individualized tutoring at Crafting Scholars to help them stay on track with their learning. Contact us today to get started!
