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more thoroughly how certain historical events affected the people of that time as well. It is worth a discussion though, to make sure your children understand that although the history is accurate, the storyline may very well be fictional.
Questions Kids Ask:
"Did this actually happen?"
Answer: Yes and No. Use this question as a spring board for the discussion mentioned in The Why. The events in the book are based on a time or event in history, but the characters, unless it is a biography or autobiography, are fictional.

Commercials
Teachable Moments: Watching commercials in-between television shows can become teachable moments if you pay attention.
Advertising
What type of advertising are the producers of the commercial using? Are they trying to insinuate that "everyone is doing it" or "everyone who is anyone has this product"? Discussing this type of advertising opens the door to discussion on peer pressure as well.
Is the commercial trying to insinuate that if you get the product, something wonderful will happen to you? Discuss the reality of whether or not that will actually happen. For example, with an older child, discuss a soda commercial that alludes to the fact that if you drink that soda, you will get the guy or girl of your dreams. Or for example, a commercial about contacts that eludes to the fact that if you buy their product, you will become beautiful.
Is the commercial trying to convince you that someone you would trust is telling you to buy the product? For example "doctor recommended" products that in actuality may or may not be recommended by your doctor.
Try your own!
Have your children try to write their own commercials to get you to buy something or eat something for dinner. Any type of persuasion can be done through a commercial. For more information on persuasion, see the Persuasion section under Writing.
The Why: Discussing the commercials your children watch daily is a wonderful way to teach your children about advertising methods and to use their brains when deciding on a product.
Questions Kids Ask:
"What is that commercial selling?"
Answer: if your child asks that about a commercial, obviously the commercial did not do a very good job of selling the product. Discuss with them how the commercial could have been done differently.

Common difficulties and solutions in History:
*The child who has difficulty reading or is too young to read:
History actives should be tailored to the age of each child, and young children who cannot read and may not be able to comprehend some of the complexities of the issues being discussed can understand simpler things such as family and neighborhood and friends. Talk about how things were when you were a child, and talk about the things they see that affect their lives. If you have an older child who can understand but has difficulty reading, you may want to consider more discussion based learning, or reading the newspaper out loud.
* The child who is bored with history:
Use your creativity and think outside the box. The activities suggested here are not exhaustive. There are many more that can be utilized as well. For example, have them write a play and act it out, record a radio broadcast on an historical event, or have them write a comic strip involving an historical event.
*The child that has been touched tragically by an historical event:
Be honest with him. Talk openly about why that event happened and what is being done about it. Talk about what we as American citizens can do to help.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer W..
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