- Image by @Wickliffe via Flickr
Delving into social studies is a wonderful way for your child to explore communities, from your child’s own neighborhood to the entire global village. Social studies helps a child expand his or her perspective of the world. It also helps a child understand how people are interconnected. Preschool allows children to understand school as a community all on its own.
Take a Walk
Take your child on a walk around the neighborhood. Observe the neighborhood as a community. Point out grocery stores, banks, places of worship, dry cleaners and more. Discuss the importance of each place and how it contributes to the overall community. Talk about customers, services and other aspects about each business. When you get home, draw out maps of the neighborhood. Not only are you exercising your child’s spatial abilities, you are also solidifying previously discussed concepts about community in his or her mind.
Discuss Traditions and Culture
Share your own family’s values and traditions with your child. Discuss how these values and traditions are important for the entire family. Learn about other peoples’ cultures and traditions. If you have family members who are tightly connected with another culture, invite them to come talk about it. You may even want to read books to your child about other cultures and listen to their music. Consider introducing your child to the types of food found in other cultures.
Take a Field Trip
Although it would be a spectacular experience to take your child to the Great Wall of China, it’s a difficult feat for most parents. A more practical approach would be visiting the library with your child. Find books on other countries that include rich stunning photos and watch your child’s imagination soar. Even spinning a globe and pointing to countries can lead to wonderful conversations about culture.
