Fun Ways to Teach World History To Kids - Safari Ltd®

Fun Ways to Teach World History To Kids

Jul 27, 2022
fun ways to teach world history to kids - globe

 

History is one of the most important subjects we learn about in school as children, but it’s fair to say that many children don’t instinctively want to learn about events that have long since passed. Children tend to have a more forward-thinking mindset; they’re always focused on what is currently happening or what will soon be happening to them. That doesn’t leave a lot of room for considering where we came from or the rich history that we have as humans.

History isn’t the easiest subject to broach with younger children, especially when there are as many negative things to learn about as there are positives. Despite this fact, learning history is so important for both individuals and society as a whole. History can teach us so many things about who we are as people and how we can avoid the mistakes of the past to protect ourselves in the future.

What is the best way for someone to get their child interested in history? What you need to focus on is not specific dates and time periods but how you can present historical information in a way that is entertaining enough to keep a child’s attention and stick in their minds. In this article, we’ll go over a few fun ways for kids to learn about history in a meaningful way that speaks to their sensibilities. Through these methods, children can learn the importance of history without being bored out of their minds.

Kid-Focused Literature

 

fun ways to teach world history to kids - kid-focused literature

 

The subject of history has no shortage of books based on the past. The issue with many of these books is how dry they tend to be. Without any sort of flavor to them, a child attempting to read them will lose interest pretty quickly unless you force them to read. Forcing them to read something they find boring is a good way to make them forget everything the moment they close the book.

Thankfully, you don’t need to rely only on textbooks for good historical literature. You can find historical fiction books in multiple different formats, from exciting thrillers for teenagers to simple picture books for younger children. The history of our world is full of wonderful stories and opportunities for stories that we can explore through books.

Interactive Field Trips

Children often have an easier time learning when they can see something related to what they’re learning about. Textbooks are all well and good, but at the end of the day, a child might see a history lesson as basic letters on a page and nothing more. That’s why it’s beneficial to allow them to see the past up close whenever possible.

Field trips for school are normal occurrences, but you can further enrich your child’s life by taking them on field trips yourself. Museum trips can be fascinating for children as they get to see real history unfold before them. Ideally, you can find a children’s museum that allows them to get a little more hands-on with the exhibits to fully immerse themselves in the history surrounding them.

Historical Movies and Videos

It’s no secret how engrossing a good movie or online video can be to a young child, so use that to your advantage! Plenty of streaming services have historical or historical fiction movies that are appropriate for children of all ages. Storylines can often grab a child’s attention better than simple information, so these movies can help out a lot.

Don’t miss out on user-made videos on sites like YouTube as well. There’s so much free content on the internet crafted exclusively for children’s educational purposes. Documentaries that transport you to where history happened, animations based on historical events, and more are common on these sites. Plus, they’re perfect for small bursts of entertainment with a learning aspect to them.

Virtual Tours, Games, and Puzzles

With our world more connected than ever before, you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home to enjoy the historical wonders of the world. Services like Google Earth give you on-the-ground virtual touring capabilities that we’ve never had before. These allow you to see real-world historical sites without needing to be there in person.

Try and make a game out of this to make it even more fun! Come up with a few important landmarks or sites of importance and ask your children to find their way to them virtually. This can teach them how to navigate better in the real world and allow them to see some incredible sights they otherwise wouldn’t. Building puzzles that focus on geography is another fun way to learn about the world. 

Art Projects and Musical Appreciation

What child doesn’t like to get a little bit messy? That’s where a fun art project can come in handy. Parents and teachers have used art projects as learning tools for many years because it gets children more engaged with the source material of the project. Maybe they can draw a picture of their favorite story from Greek mythology or try and emulate famous sculptures made by historical artists out of clay or papier-mâché.

Music is another way that we preserve our history. Music from different time periods tells us so much about the people who lived then. Music, even music that you might not think a child would like, speaks to us all in one way or another. It can be a great gateway for a child wanting to learn more about a certain culture.

Toys and Imagination

A fun way for kids to learn about history is to play make-believe with them in a historical setting. Maybe they get to roleplay as a new Egyptian pharaoh, a brave Medieval knight, or someone who lived long ago. Imaginative play is one of the most creative ways that children learn and grow, and you can use that to teach them more about history.

While playing fully in one’s mind can be exciting on its own, having props and toys to go with it can make the experience even more fun. Miniature figurines of animals or mythical creatures can get your child’s imagination flowing and make them want to learn more about what they’re playing with. Safari Ltd. offers a wide range of fun and safe toys for children to explore and learn more about history through play. Take a look at what we have to offer, and you’re sure to find something that they’ll love.

Fun Ways for Kids To Learn About History

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