How Does Social Studies Help Your Child?

What does social studies help children learn about the world around them? The easy answer is to say the learning social studies gives kids a better understanding of our society and helps them to be involved citizens. However, it's actually much more complex than that. Your child's social studies curriculum covers a wide range of smaller subjects and important educational topics. Understanding each of these topics will help your child in different ways.

• Geography: Geographical literacy is essential for all of us. We must have a solid understanding of the world and our place in it in order to function in a global community. When we hear news about a war in a small country, or a natural disaster or a famine, we need to understand the effect those events have on surrounding countries and the world as a whole.
• Government and Civics: Ours is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. In a democracy we all contribute to our system of government, whether it's voting for those who hold public office or serving on a jury. With these freedoms comes the responsibility to understand how our government works. Studying foreign governments helps kids understand cultural differences as well as the different ways that people can organize to solve problems.
• Economics: They say that money makes the world go 'round. While not everyone agrees with that statement, we can't deny the huge impact of economics in our lives. From a trip to the grocery store to the national deficit to the global economy, we all need to understand how the economy works and how it directly impacts the value of the money we earn.
• History: In discussing history, we've often heard that the lessons of the past prepare us for the future. There is definitely truth to this adage. When dealing with the challenges of the present, we often look to the challenges faced by those who came before us. History lessons also help us understand our role in shaping world events.
• World Cultures: In order to understand world events, we must have an understanding of different world cultures, how they are different from our own and how they are the same. Understanding differences helps us to be more sympathetic to others and help us recognize the reasons behind differeing points of view.

Next time you help your child with her social studies homework, try to remember what social studies is; the study of our world and the people that live in it. Ensuring that your child gets a solid social studies education ensures that she will be well-rounded citizens of our world.