Back to the textbooks for me
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
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Posted by Karen S.
My daughter and I took her two older boys to Kenosha recently. Pat is 8 and Connor is 7. They visited two museums and had a great time. They told me they wanted to go back and see the Civil War museum next time. When I asked them if they knew what the Civil War was, they replied, "Sure, we play war sometimes."
I felt the need to try to explain the Civil War to them. Wow, that was a challenging thing to get into! They knew that Abraham Lincoln was a famous president. While they knew the word "slavery" neither of them could define it. They weren't familiar with the term "confederacy." A few minutes into it and I could feel myself sinking.
These are heavy issues to introduce to little guys. Slavery. North against South. Succession from the Union. Mason/Dixon Line.
I stopped at the very, very basics, and not because I think I can protect them from those truths. I realize I needed to review my history lessons. I want to make sure I don't give them a revisionist look at things.
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Young Boys Do Play WarBy Walter on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Thankfully we are able to take children to places where they can learn and experience history beyond what information parents and grandparents can recall when put on the spot. Basics yes. Internet perhaps. Museum cool. Play a game of war when you are a kid. Fun. Teaching children the heavy ramifications of war is a lesson that is best spread over time. No matter what, learning takes place. |
Civil WarBy Tamara O'Shaughnessy on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Good for you in trying to make sure you present accurate information! This is an area I struggle with, too, but often find myself outlining the history with my personal take on the issues. I use these opportunities to share my values and beliefs with the kids. I want them to have the facts of course, but I see nothing wrong with sharing my interpretations. I always end such conversations and discussions with seeking their opinions to help develop their critical thinking. |
mistress of distruction
By Bronwyn on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
It is really interesting how kids start to get the 'nuance' of war. That some wars are about different things. W first heard about the Civil War a few years ago in school and I remember he just could NOT wrap his head around the fact that only black people were slaves. It just made no sense to him- that (in the simplified version they talked about in 1st grade) the Civil War happened so that Lincoln could free the black people from being slaves. He kept saying things like " But other people were slaves too, then, right?" and I had to explain patiently that it was mainly just black people because of their skin color. He just had no concept at all that people could be treated differently because of the color of their skin- which is a good thing!