Why Are History Lessons Important for Children?

 

Of the many compulsory subjects in UK schools, one of them will be History. It seeks to teach children about the many key moments from the past that have ultimately changed the way the world works in modern day society. Like a lot of schools, it’s often a very popular subject taught even from a young age. This nursery in South West London has some key reasons why history is important to teach your kids about.

Teach children about the hardships of the past

If there is one thing history will always teach us, it’s the impact it has brought to many of us throughout our lifetimes. There’s a lot to consider when you have experienced something that has changed the way we work and operate in life today, and it’s often due to what has happened in the past. Big moments in history have defined how we approach a lot of things in modern day, and it will help children understand what others had to go through to get to where they are now.

Helps your children develop complex arguments

Oftentimes history lessons are a time for reflection. They can be seen as ways to help children learn to handle complex theories and issues that ultimately brought about the biggest changes. For example, a lot of reasons why war unfolds can be quite complicated to understand on it's own; history lessons seek to make things easier to understand for children so that they can go forward with their knowledge.

Gives your child a better understanding of the world

A lot of history stems from cultural shifts, developments in technology, and much more. This is the opportunity for your child to really attain plenty of new knowledge and skills that will help them in their understanding of the world. It broadens their horizons as well as helps children see what others hope to learn from regular history lessons.

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Viking re-enactment at Castle Rising

This is a day out from last August, we all had such a great day that I wanted to share it on the blog, the re-enactment usually happens every year and last year was the first time the boys and I went.

We were hoping to attend again this year but with coronavirus going on, I'm not sure it will be happening.

We went with my friend Sarah and her two boys, Zack and Harley.

We arrived at the start as we weren't sure how busy it would be, the boys were all excited to see all the different re-enactors dressed up in their costumes with an array of different weapons.

Not only were the Vikings there, but there were also many different armies around with guns and canons.

We found a nice space on the grass to set up our picnic and then let the boys explore the castle whilst it was still quiet.

They loved running around finding different doors and stairways.

The last time we went to Castle Rising was the winter that we moved to Norfolk and it was very cold and very misty and the boys were a little bit too young to get the full excitement from an old castle grounds. So it was nice to see them fully get excited about it this time around.

Ru was keen to go to all the parts Alex and Oscar shied away from as they were worried the ground would fall away if they went and stood on it.

After they were done with running around the castle we went and looked at the Viking displays of armour and clothing.

The boys were all pretty impressed they got a chance to have a hold of some of the swords and shields.

The Wuffa Vikings were very friendly and talked them all through what they were all used for and how they were made, not that I'm sure the boys were all that bothered, they just thought they were awesome!

Before all the re-enactments started we got stuck into our picnic, the site wasn't as busy as I thought it would be which was nice, we were sat by the Viking set up and we could watch them go about making and living their Viking life.

Once we were finished we decided to head out to the tea tent and treat the boys all to ice creams, though on our way the boys had to fight the Vikings to get off the bridge!

This really made the boys day, the twins turned into martial art ninjas and kicked their way through the shields!

It was very amusing and I'm not sure the Viking guys were expecting that.

Freeeeedoooooom

We bumped into one of the Vikings after our ice creams and the boys pretty much wanted him to become their new best friend!

They were all over him asking what everything was, and he was so nice and patient with all of them.

Watching the re-enactment was amazing, the guys really were awesome and we loved seeing all the different characters.

After the boys fight with them earlier made them prime targets for the shouts from the Vikings when they were running around, and this made the boys so happy.

Rather than just sitting and watching they all got involved and loved shouting back at them!

 

Poor Mummy 

Before we left the boys all begged to have their photo taken with their favourite Viking!

Even Noah had his picture taken too.

                                  

It was an amazing day and if it does happen to go ahead this year we will definitely be there!

The Vikings were from Wuffa Viking and Saxon Reenactment Society and they do displays around Norfolk and Suffolk.

Fun Education For Kids: The History Around You

A day out with the kids that is also educational; it’s pretty much the dream, isn’t it? 

You get to hit two birds with one stone, earning you a huge number of extra Mum points in the bargain.

As wonderful as the idea of combining these two childhood essentials is, it’s not always feasible. That’s a shame, especially when you live in a country like the UK.

Why Is It A Particular Shame In The UK?

The UK is full of history. It could be argued this is the country where Western civilisation as we know it was born. That history is incorporated all around us. 

Americans, for example, celebrate when their home town turns 200 years old. That’s nothing for us in the UK; some of us live in cities that date back to the Roman Age.

With all this history around us, there are plenty of ways to combine education with a lot of fun. In fact, let’s compile all the ways you can introduce your children to living history - and let them have all kinds of fun in the process.

1. Visit A Castle

Warwick Castle.

There are castles everywhere in the UK, most of which are now in public hands. To ensure their survival, entertaining and exciting families has become a huge part of their business model - so there’s plenty of fun to be had in the midst of learning.

Here are a few to consider:

• The Tower Of London is perfectly for young kids who can’t get enough of gory stories. Tours are led by the Yeoman Warders, who are well versed in delighting the crowd with stories of the grisly tales from history. You can also visit the crown jewels, or meet the Ravenmaster and his flock.
• Warwick Castle is one of the best castles for family fun; they hold jousts, Tudor banquets, and battle re-enactments throughout the year. Located in Warwickshire, the castle is beautiful and huge - perfect for an absorbing family-friendly day out.
• Ludlow Castle in Wales was the traditional seat of the Prince of Wales; where they would learn Kingship before taking on the entire country. The castle is beautifully preserved, and set in a quaint market town that the whole family will love to explore.

These three options truly are just the tip of the iceberg - there’s so much to explore, so why not dive right on in?

2. Metal Detecting

There’s nothing quite like stumbling over a coin in a field and seeing that it dates back to Roman times. It’s one of the most obvious ways of connecting the present with the past, and can enthral children with a sense of the history that’s gone before them.

Grab yourself a metal detector from BestSpy and head out onto any open land. Always ensure you have permission to be there. There are plenty of groups which can help identify sites where metal detecting is welcome. Who knows, your family might be the next one to discover a hoard of gold.

3. The Trail of Battles

Tewkesbury Abbey, near the battlefield.

England has been the host of many wars over the centuries. 

The Wars of the Roses in the 15th century have captured imaginations for centuries, while everyone knows something about the English Civil War.

These wars were a collection of pitched battles, often spread all over the country. Many were fought hundreds of years ago, but most sites of major conflicts are still found to this day. Some even have full-blown visitor centres on the sites of the battlefield itself, making great locations for metal detecting too. It’s more than possible to turn up spurs or other metal used in warfare, giving another exciting glimpse into the world of the past.

To take advantage of this, you could start a project where you try and visit the sites of all the major battles in a particular conflict. The Wars of the Roses, for example, would take you from Gloucestershire for the Battle of Tewkesbury, to north London for the Battle of Barnet. 

Following the trails of these wars not only gives an insight into the history of the time, but also makes for a lovely way to see more of the country.

The UK has got so much to offer when it comes to history. Learning history is vital for a child’s education; as the saying goes, those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it. 

By introducing historical learning outside of a classroom setting - and where it’s a whole lot more fun - you’re setting your kids up for an exciting, enlightened life.

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City Break To Berlin: History, Museums, And Kindercafes!

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If you’re considering a city break and want to take the kids, Berlin is less than a two-hour flight from Heathrow. This thriving and cosmopolitan city is full of galleries, museums, and parks, and is somewhere the whole family can relax and have fun.

Educational

The Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, and Berlin Wall will bring your children’s history classes to life and are the reason for the countless school trips to Berlin each year. The Brandenburg Gate has a rich history and was built between 1788 and 1791. It has witnessed many significant historical moments and has been the location for many famous political speeches. Since the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, it now represents a unified Germany.

The Holocaust Memorial or the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe officially opened 60 years after the end of World War II. The site was designed by Peter Eisenman and engineer Buro Happold and consists of 2,711 concrete slabs or ‘stelae’. The names of almost 3 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust are also listed near by.

On 9th November 1989, the Berlin Wall fell uniting the people of Germany. 

Part of the wall still stands today and remains a symbol of triumph over oppression. It’s possible to walk or cycle along the path where the wall stood. 

There are many guided tours to point out areas of significance.

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Kindercafes

After taking in the various sites, it’s time to sit back and relax. Several kindercafes have popped up in recent years and have been created with families in mind. These hip cafes are popping up throughout the city and are popular in up and coming areas such as Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg.

Swimming

Though usually associated with art, music, and culture, Berlin also has a large number of swimming venues and lidos. During the summer months, families can enjoy swimming in various open air locations such as public pools and lakes. Then in the winter months when the open air pools close, you can still take advantage of several indoor pools. Popular venues include Weißer See, Haubentaucher, and Sommerbad Olympiastadion.

Museum Island

Many of the museums and galleries offer family-friendly exhibitions and activities. Museum Island is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. It is home to five of Berlin’s most important museums; Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Bode Museum, and the Pergamon Museum. One ticket will allow access to all five.

The Pergamon Museum houses the Pergamon Altar, the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, and the Market Gate of Miletus. Each of these structures was constructed from the ruins found in ancient Turkey and the Middle East. While the Neues Museum is home to an Egyptian bust of Nefertiti.

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Reichstag

The Reichstag is the home of the German parliament and provides an unrivalled view over the city. The roof is made entirely of glass and offers some of the best views. Though the dome is free to enter, it is necessary to book in advance. Audio tours are also available to talk you through your visit.

Berlin has everything when it comes to family-friendly breaks; education, history, sports, museums, galleries, art and even kindercafes.

It’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary if you’re planning a city break this year.