Why Children Should Study History

Stepping stones from the past

Children ask their parents, teachers or others this question, because history contains a lot of information, that they feel is not important in their lives. If you were to ask a child to write about the major, historical events that have occurred during his or her lifetime, he or she may be able describe a few things that have happened. If you asked the same child to tell you about his or her family history, there might be historical information that you can obtain, but it will be relatively limited.

If you ask a child about the history of his or her community, he or she may know historical facts that are relatively current and pertinent, but not many related to the past. His or her recall of historical events, on the level of the country or the world, will be limited, depending upon the child's age and academic level.

There are children who love history and retain more historical information than others. Some children show absolutely no interest in studying history, on any level. Recalling historical events may be easy for some, but it can be difficult for others.

Imagine how chaotic the world would be, if no one had ever studied history as a child or had any idea of what happened, in the past! What if there was no documented or recorded history?

There are times when all of the prior history concerning a specific place or location, is lost for one reason or another, along with all of the treasures that are significant, from an historical perspective. What happens to history in a situation like this? For instance, natural disasters occur, all the time. Hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and fires, take their toll, in terms of the loss of historical documents and records. When this happens, it is important for children to know their own personal and family history and the history of their own communities, countries or the world in general. The same is true in times of war.

Children can learn and remember historical facts, as can adults, but it is much easier to learn history, a bit at a time, as a child. It is important to study history as a child, rather than waiting until one becomes an adult.

History begins to take on more significance, when a person becomes an adult and wants to find out about major events that have occurred, in his or her own lifetime. That is when having studied history as a child, seems to be appreciated.

Oral tradition is one way that history has been passed on to others, since the beginning of time. It is one of the primary modes of expression used today. Songs and poetry record history, to some extent. In studying songs and poetry, children learn history, as it pertains to their own worlds.

Children relate better to those around them when they study history, because they begin to understand their own lives, as well as the lives of others, including their parents, grandparents and prior generations. They learn to appreciate their own cultural values and traditions, as well as those of other cultures.

Studying history is like studying literature, in the sense that it expands a child's literary horizon. A child's world grows larger and larger, as he or she studies history. Children learn valuable lessons from the past.

Spending time studying history is never time wasted, as it invites a child to explore the world, even if only through his or her expanded, literary knowledge. In some ways, it satisfies his or her innate curiosity.

Studying history helps a child expand his or her vocabulary and improve communication, on every level.

Change is an important aspect of a child's life. In studying history, children learn how to cope with change and non-permanency.

Much of what we know has been built upon the stepping stones of the past and there is more that we might know now, if records or documents of the past had been preserved some way, even through the memory of a child.

These are just a few of the many reasons why children should study history, even when they don't always see any reason to do so. Encourage your children to study history and you will be glad that you did.