My absolute favorite subject in school was history. When I was young, I did not understand why I enjoyed it so much. I thought I would love Literature and English more because I loved reading. However, as an adult, I understand why history captured my imagination and awe.
History is made up of an infinite amount of stories. There are stories of war and redemption, of good and evil, of love and friendship, of heroes and underdogs, of the rejected and the forgotten, of discoveries and failures, and much more! These stories explore deep human emotions and ideas.
The art of storytelling is the foundation of history, and historians are the ancient chroniclers who recount these stories. The study of history, and the storytelling behind it, is what makes us human. The first humans used storytelling to recall experiences, determine where they came from and what they did, and define who they were.
Although history has a basis of storytelling, today we analyze these stories and determine factual information. Historical events can be more remarkable than fiction, and this is what drew me to study and love history. Who doesn’t love a story about a mad king who beheaded two of his six wives and, in turn, changed the whole course of a nation’s future?!
There is much debate today about when and how to teach children history. My opinion is that history is as valuable and as important as math is towards early childhood education.
History can establish human roots. Humanity is a hard concept for children to understand. However, it is important for children to understand human connections. This can help develop empathy and understanding towards other people.
History can establish personal roots. Reflecting on the past can provide young children a foundation for understanding where they came from. An activity as simple as creating a family tree can help children view a bigger picture: that life is much larger than their own vantage point.
History can develop early literacy. Through storytelling, children can practice sharing stories and using language to convey emotions and experiences. Talking to your children about your childhood or your personal experiences can help build conversation skills and tools of their own.
History can help children understand cause and effect. History is full of the consequences of individuals, good and bad. Exploring these events in history can help children in seeing cause and effect in their personal life and in literature.
History can introduce children to research and factual information. Studying information at an early age can help foster research skills and promote critical thinking. In the future, they will have the tools and resources to decipher the information-rich world we live in.
Finally, history is fun! Exploring the hilarious stories about crazy kings and queens, the brave stories of heroic resistance fighters during World War II, or the yucky yet enticing stories of the bubonic plague can excite young learners and strengthen their curiosity for education.
Check out some of my favorite resources for history education!
Comments