Public schools teach social studies in elementary school. In contrast, most homeschool curricula teach history. What is the difference, and which is best? Scroll down to catch five fabulous reasons why you should teach history to your kids – and not social studies.
Teach Social Studies…or Teach History?
First, we need to break down a few definitions. For starters, in this context, social studies is not the same as history.
Social Studies –-> the study of multiple branches of study related to human society such as humanities, political science, history, government, current affairs, and geography. Attention is given to topics such as neighborhoods, communities, social issues, and contemporary cultures.
History –-> the study of people of the past in their historical locations, cultures, and societies as interpreted through factual events. Attention is given to biographies, memoirs, primary sources, and artifacts. The key word here is, the PAST.
Why Study History?
As humans, we are prone to repeat our mistakes. This happens not just at the individual level, but also at the community and national levels, too. A solid understanding of history provides insight into our shared past as a people so we can learn from our mistakes.
On the other hand, studies in social studies are more about respecting and appreciating the contemporary cultures all around us. While there is no doubt we can learn from modern countries and peoples, too, there are lessons our kids will never learn if we don’t study events of the past.
Observing patterns in the past positions us to see the continuation of those patterns in the present. In this way, history enables us to make sense of our current world and become better judges of it. When children understand history first, they have context in which to evaluate the present.
When we can learn from the past then we will be able to accurately interpret the present. Understanding history will then contribute to wiser choices in the future and help us to better understand the modern cultures we see around us today.
There is so much that children, even very young children, can learn from history besides all the wonderful historical knowledge. History is rich in lessons that help us live life well and make educated, balanced decisions for our future, both as individuals and as a society.
Here are five reasons why you should teach history, not just social studies, to your kids:
1. Gratitude
Teaching children history will give them an appreciation for their good fortune! When kids learn about diseases, poverty, wars, and desolation in the past, they can’t help but compare it to their own relatively easy life. Learning about the misfortunes and challenges of others in the past can help children eliminate victim mentality through gratitude, empathy, and compassion.
2. Respect
Children learning history will be naturally exposed to many varied cultures and people over the ages. They will learn respect for different ways of thinking and doing, understanding that there is often more than one right way of functioning as a community. They will also learn to value the contributions of people in the past, including, perhaps even contributions of elderly members of their own family. History teaches a strong respect for the people of the past.
3. Inspiration
History is full of heroes and villains. The past is chock full of fascinating stories of ordinary, everyday people that can inspire children to work hard, endure, and overcome. It’s full of some flavorful, unique, extraordinary people, too! When we teach history, we give kids positive role models as well as real-world examples of how we don’t want to behave as well! It also teaches them that humans are complex creatures and that most of us are a mixed bag of virtues and mistakes.
Over and over in various, repeated ways, history teaches us what works and what doesn’t work as individuals and as communities. Kids can learn to see patterns in history. They will learn how the motives of individuals can make an impact on society and how life is full of unexpected twists. Through multiple exposures, they see how others have successfully, or unsuccessfully handled the trials of life. Kids will gain wisdom by learning from the mistakes and successes of others.
5. Story
Children love stories! It is no wonder that God put most of the Bible – the ultimate history book – into narrative form. Storytelling is powerful because stories have a way of sticking with us and influencing our lives. Narrative is not only enjoyable, but a compelling way to learn and remember! Children are naturally fascinated by the real events of both ordinary and extraordinary people from the past. When we teach history, we invite students to take their place in the great story of humanity.
Teach History – Not Just Social Studies
If we want wise, grateful, well-educated children full of respect for other cultures and peoples, we need to teach history rich in context. Winston Churchill famously said, “those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”
Admittedly, social studies includes some study of history, but it’s not enough. Social studies alone as taught in elementary schools focuses too much on political agendas, current events, and societal issues. Studying social studies at the expense of history is like studying a little leaf without giving credence to the fact that the leaf is part of a much larger tree. History is the key to properly understanding modern society by providing us the lens of time and experience. It can be easy! There are simple and fun ways to get your kids interested in history.
For my kids, we choose to teach history. What will your family do?
“If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree. ”
