Children's Study of Time, Continuity, and Change in Early Education

Agenda and Important Dates

  • Annotated Bibliography due April 1
  • Mini Units due April 29
  • Presentation due May 6
  • Final due May 13
  • Tonight's book: Sweet Dreams, Sarah by Vivian Kirkfield
    Art By: Chris Ewald
    Source: Social Studies for the Preschool/Primary Child, 9e.

Chapter 7: Children's Study of Time, Continuity, and Change: History

Chapter Objectives

  • Understand the Science, Technology, and Society standard
  • Grasp why the study of history is important, especially in early childhood education
  • Identify key concepts in children's study of history
  • Introduce concepts of time, change, and the past to young children
  • Introduce children to continuity in human life
  • Apply historian methods in teaching

Importance of Studying History

  • Engages children's interest in the subject
  • Supports self-recognition through shared memories and understanding of the past
  • Enhances self-understanding and social/cultural awareness
  • Fosters civic responsibility in children

History as a Time-Oriented Study

  • Introduces children to:
    • Immediate past through stories and objects
    • Continuity of human life as noted by Dewey (1966)
    • Actual experiences and listening to historical narratives
    • Sequence of daily routines integrating the concepts of time, change, and past

Goals for Children in Studying History

  • Use an inquiry process to ask questions and analyze information
  • Comprehend key concepts related to the study of history
  • Differentiate and appreciate historical timelines and events through storytelling
  • Understand the lives and experiences of people from the past

Science, Technology, Society, and Change

  • Understand how technologies:
    • Influence historical changes and present realities
    • Form systems that evolve over time (e.g., the development of cars)
    • Modify living environments (heating/cooling systems)
    • Shift societal attitudes and behaviors

Comparison of Daily Life: Past vs Present

Food
  • Sources: Traditional vs modern sources
  • Preservation: How food preservation techniques evolved
  • Cooking Methods: Changes from past to present
  • Common Foods: Historical staple foods compared to contemporary diets
  • Meal Preparation and Eating Habits: Shift in daily routines and habits
Housing
  • Materials: Differences in construction materials used
  • Size: Comparisons of living space
  • Heating/Cooling, Sanitation, and Lighting: Technological advancements

Developing Time Concepts in Early Childhood

  • Daily Routines: Teach concepts like before/after using topics from children's literature
  • Use of Time Words: Incorporation of words like today, yesterday, morning, next, etc.
  • Activity Incorporation: Using tools like stopwatches, hourglasses to measure time and review passages of time based on child’s own experiences

Understanding Change

  • Learning themes for children:
    • Nature of Change: Acceptance and adaptation to change as a life constant
    • Understanding how change affects various aspects of life, including neighborhood and nature
    • The concept that change can be recorded through various historical means

Continuity of Human Life

  • Gained through:
    • Family history exploration
    • Celebrating holidays and traditions
    • Building intergenerational contacts to understand experiences across generations
    • Exploring cultural universals: commonalities in food, clothing, shelter, and transportation

Understanding the Past

  • Children show a natural interest in both immediate and distant past
  • By age 5, children can distinguish between past and present and can sequence events chronologically
  • Encourage engagement with historical figures, primary sources, artifacts, and narratives

Historical Method Development for Inquiry Skills

  • Teaching methods for developing inquiry skills:
    • Generating questions and identifying problems
    • Gathering information through relevant experiences
    • Observing data with the senses
    • Analyzing and drawing conclusions from findings
    • Summarizing and extending learning into tangible forms, such as class history books or timelines

Resource Recommendations

  • Check out Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation with Mo Rocca available on YouTube for insights into inventors and their inventions
  • Search for lists of inventors to understand their contributions to society