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How to help your child with history

The best way to help your child with history is to have an interest in it yourself. If your child is learning about Abraham Lincoln find out some interesting facts that will entice your young one to want to no more. For instance, Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert Todd, was almost killed as a young man when he was standing on a crowded railroad platform. He stumbled almost falling on the tracks only to be saved by Edwin Booth-the brother of John Wilkes Booth. A bit of irony and a little known fact that your child can and will share.

Another wonderful way to help your child with history is to get a syllabus of that class. Every teacher has some idea-at the very least- of what he/she will be teaching. Take the time to do some research yourself. Also, get older family members to start talking about their youth. When Grandma talks about the Depression and food was scares and jobs even more, your child will take notice when it's brought up in class and may even take pride in the fact that he/she knows someone who's been through that time in history.

Finally, let your child see you reading something relating to history like National Geographic (there's one geared towards children as well as adults) Or even a book like "Stupid History" by Leland Gregory. Make history a part of your everyday life. I don't mean every day needs to be a history class but it doesn't hurt to nonchalantly say over cooking dinner a neat little tidbit about history like "Did you know that when the Olympics first started it was only open to men and they did all the sports naked?" That ought to peak some interest.

You can even tie in what is happening today by staying up to date on your current events. Listen to the radio station your kids listen to or would be listening to if their ipods went on the blink. Many times, between songs the D.J.'s will have a segment like "strange news" or they will highlight what's going on in the world today. No matter what age your child is, the have opinions and given the opportunity, they will share them. And if they ask you a question you don't have an answer to, have your child "help" you look it up.

Learn more about this author, Angela Donlon-Gatchell.
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