History has always been one of my favorite subjects. When it was time for a history lesson, I would grab paper and pencil, find a spot in our living room, and quickly get lost in a different century. As my mom read to my siblings and me about everything from the biblical figures of Abraham and Sarah, to Ancient Rome, to the battles of World War II, I doodled or drew pictures depicting what we were reading about—stirred, inspired, and saddened in turn by each story.
Stories are one of the most powerful communication tools, and that is true for both children and adults. History is the recorded story of real people and events, and it is one of the most important things parents should be teaching their children today.
Why Does History Matter?
There are two important things to keep in mind when you approach the subject of history.
First, you and I are relational beings. When we become acquainted with the characters in a story—whether real or fictional—we begin to care about what happens to them. We feel sad when they fail, and we rejoice when they succeed. Perhaps most importantly, we see the mistakes they make and resolve not to repeat them. This is especially important when we’re learning history, especially when we realize that all the great historical figures were human and struggled and succeeded at many of the same things we do today.
Second, it is incredible to think about the fact that when we learn about history, we grow our knowledge of the basic facts and our knowledge of morality, ethics, cultures, governments, philosophies, and ideas. When I listened to my parents read about the ancient Egyptians, Joseph and the Twelve Tribes of Israel, the Greeks and Romans, the Pilgrims, and World Wars I & II, I learned much more than the simple facts of what happened.
For example, I learned about the horrible consequences of socialism and Marxism and how many people have lost and continue to lose their lives under that system. Many kids today aren’t taught those things, and as a result, there is a generation that thinks they want socialism but doesn’t understand the consequences.
Beyond the Simple Facts
History teaches us more than facts. It warns us of false motivations and encourages us with examples of courage and honesty. When we read history, we get to see:
- Villains and heroes on the stage of world history, and the actions and writings that showcase their motivations and defining characteristics.
- Peoples and nations, cultures and languages, governments that fell and crumbled versus ones that survived.
- The thread of God’s redemption and providence being woven through all of history and being revealed alongside a continuing war between good and evil.
History, from the beginning of creation until now, lays a foundation for each of us to understand where we are today. On the grand stage of world history, we live at this moment in time, and that’s no accident. That does not mean letting history give you your identity or define your worth, like many attempt to do today. Instead, knowing what historical events, people, and ideas have led to now allows you to better respond and react to the world around you.
Now, I realize we’ve been talking about you and I, but the goal of all this is to help you understand the value and importance of passing on a love for history, or at least an appreciation of it, to the next generation.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Unfortunately, our school systems in America seem to be focused on cramming facts and leftist ideologies into children’s brains. No wonder the next generation does not know American history and does not care about it! It’s become part of an action of rote memorization just to pass an exam. Children aren’t being shown the full picture and the actual lives of historical figures.
Sadly, when a picture of a historical figure is painted, it’s done in manipulative and overly emotional brushstrokes.
Therefore, it’s important to be able to look at the good, bad, and ugly of history and understand that, despite the evil that exists in this world, there is a redemptive thread woven through all of history that allows us to learn from the mistakes of the past and keep moving forward.
Now that we’ve established the value of history, there’s an important aspect to learning history beyond words on a page.
Living History
My parents understood that history would always remain somewhat distant unless my siblings and I actually saw it, touched it, and walked in the footsteps of those who had gone before us. Our family has toured through more historic buildings and read more plaques than I will ever remember. We’ve never been on a vacation or trip where we didn’t spend time visiting at least one historic site.
We explored houses that were part of the Underground Railroad, Civil War battlefields, Monticello, Mount Vernon, Independence Hall, the Lincoln Memorial, state capitols, and battleships. We meandered through old homes that had been turned into museums, the houses of poets and artists, and many, many air and space museums (at the request of my dad and brothers).
Here’s the important thing. My siblings and I got to see, touch, and walk in the places where incredible historical events played out. Seeing plantation slave quarters and floorboards stained with the blood of amputations during the Civil War made us realize the serious depths of what the war was being fought for. Walking through Independence Hall and picturing the men who gathered to sign a document—essentially their death warrant—all for the sake of freedom, made us grateful for their sacrifice and the country we live in.
I can pretty much guarantee that we all complained at some point about learning about some “dead person that lived hundreds of years ago.” However, just as my parents were faithful to do, it’s up to you to remind yourself why history is still valuable and then pass on that same understanding to your kids and grandkids.
Teaching Your Child to Love History
Children are naturally curious. They want to know why something happened, who did it, and what it all means. As a parent or grandparent, the best thing you can do is provide them with the resources to learn. But often it’s not enough to just put a book in their hands and tell them to read it. You have to be willing to enter into the journey of discovery with them.
You have to understand why it’s important so that when your child asks why they have to learn about a bunch of dead people and old places, you can explain its importance to them. It means being willing to research or set aside time to visit some historical sites or a museum. You have to learn to love, or at least appreciate, history.
The Path Forward
There is truth to the fact that if we don’t know where we came from, we won’t know where we’re going. This truth is playing out in America today. Hundreds of thousands of children haven’t been educated on the history of America and the men and women who shaped the course of a nation. They don’t know about the values our Founders held or the vision they cast for a nation founded on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The result is a generation who doesn’t know where they came from. They didn’t learn from the mistakes of the past and, in blatant ignorance, are repeating them.
Below are some tools and ideas to equip you to teach your kid history.
Learning History with 5 Easy Activities
- Pick at least three historical sites to visit with your children in the next six months.
- Have them pick a time-period of history they would like to learn about and visit the library to find books to read about it.
- Part of teaching history is doing it in a way they will understand. Everyone learns differently. I was artistic, so I learned best when I was drawing what I was hearing about. My brothers loved to be hands-on so going places or building models of different things helped them grasp it better.
- If you have older children, have them pick a historical event or figure, research it, write about it, and present it to you! For most homeschoolers that counts as writing, speaking, and history all in one 🙂
- Here at Patriot Academy we have a variety of resources for all ages including several classes focused on biblical citizenship in America today, learning about the Constitution and the men who formed it, and rebuilding liberty today. Learn more here.
- If you have a 16-25-year-old who is interested in learning more about the legislative process and how to be a leader and communicator, consider one of our Leadership Congress programs that happen every summer across the country. Learn more here.
There is hope for our nation. While history is peppered with the horrors of war and evil individuals and nations, it is in the darkness and out of the hard things that light shines and good men and women rise up. It is well worth the effort to learn history and to be encouraged and inspired by those who have gone before us.
Emma Sager is the Marketing Specialist at Patriot Academy. She graduated from Cedarville University with a degree in Communication. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, art, playing violin, and spending time outdoors and with friends.
