Going far beyond geography, learning about the world can incorporate different topics including language, literature and even food. It can be a fun way for you and your child to explore these topics together, and perhaps even inspire some real-life adventures too.
Take a look at these fantastic ideas to help make learning about the world a fun and entertaining experience for your child.
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Choose different countries to focus on
With 195 recognized countries in the world, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to opioids to teach your kids about. It’s a good idea to mix things up and focus on countries on different continents, helping you introduce many different cultures, traditions, languages and more.
It will help you to conduct a little research in advance to help you gather everything you need and plan a fun session which will bring several different elements of learning together. Making this kind of subject a regular part of your child’s learning will build up some excitement, especially if it is seen as a more fun alternative to more traditional school subjects.
Create a regular learning program covering different topics
The great thing about studying different countries is that you can incorporate a lot of different elements into your learning sessions. You’ll be able to cover things like geography and culture, but can also think a bit more outside the box to focus on native animals and of course, food. Some ideas of subjects and how you can cover them include:
Geography
Geography is a simple topic to start with when learning about any country. You’ll be able to explain where a country is located on a map, what its flag, is as well as the type of climate it has. Geography is an interesting subject and will help your child learn a lot about each country that could come in handy one day.
Far and Wide is an excellent resource to help you learn some interesting facts about each country.
Culture
What makes every country unique are the people who live there. Teaching your child about other cultures can help them learn a lot about a country, but also to respect others. Taking a closer look at a country’s culture can help you look at traditions more closely, and gives you an opportunity to discover music, dance, film and more that have come out of that country.
Language
Language is another fantastic way to learn more about a country. You may already teach additional languages such as French or Spanish as part of your learning, but you could expand further by learning words from other languages. Some simple examples include greetings, numbers and how to say “Happy Birthday” in different languages. While you may want to focus on one or two languages in depth, this can still be a fun element to your lessons.
Food
Every country has dishes that it is famous for, so why not add a food element to each of your lessons? You could teach cooking by learning how to make different foods together, or you can find out if there are any local stores that sell traditional dishes from your chosen country that you can enjoy at home.
Take a look at some fantastic international recipes you can make as part of your adventures!
Nature
Another way to introduce different countries to your child is by discussing nature. Learning about the animals that are native to each country can be a fun way to connect your child with different places. From the lions that inhabit Tanzania to kangaroos in Australia, there’s a lot to discover when you take a closer look at different countries.
History
The history of individual countries is fascinating once you start to get into it. Some countries’ histories will have had an impact on America, so learning some world history can be beneficial to your child’s other studies too. This can help your child expand their worldview, especially as they get older.
You may find other topics relevant to what you want your child to earn. Tailor your program for each country to add some unique elements to your child’s learning experience.
Make the session as interactive as possible
Learning about the world gives you some fantastic material to help you educate your child and teach them different things. Making these sessions as varied and interesting as possible will help keep your child’s attention, and ensure learning stays fun too. Some of the ways you can do this include:
Read some books
You can find many great books about different countries of the world, providing plenty of facts and knowledge that can help your child’s studies. From picture books to textbooks, you’ll have a lot of options to choose from. You could even check out the selection at your local library which may have some interesting choices for you to borrow.
Engage in different activities
Making your sessions more interactive through different activities can keep your child’s learning fresh and interesting. From activity books to interactive games, you can encourage learning through more than just reading and writing. Keep an eye out online for different songs that could also be an enjoyable way for your child to learn about the world.
Do some arts and crafts
Arts and crafts can teach your child many different skills, but they can also be a good way to learn. From drawing pictures to different craft activities, you could encourage your child’s creativity and help them interpret what they’ve learned in their own way.
Watch videos and movies
Videos and movies are another great resource to help your child learn more about the world. There are a lot of sources you can check for this, including YouTube, and free educational resources online. Movies that are set in different countries can teach a lot too, but can also be a way to follow up on your child’s learning while doing something they enjoy.
A fantastic example of how this can work is learning about the British Isles. From books and videos to some cooking sessions, combining all of these elements makes for an in-depth and exciting learning experience for kids.
Take language learning further
Learning new languages has several benefits for your child, including:
It can also give them many advantages for their further education and possible future job prospects.
Adding regular language lessons from a young age can help your child learn a language quickly. It could even help you learn, too! There are different ways to teach your child a foreign language at home based on their age, so you can start them at a young age and develop their skills as they get older.
Plan some visits to bring everything to life
If it’s possible, why not bring your lessons to life with some real-life visits to other countries? Getting the chance to explore new places and take in different sights and languages can boost your child’s development, and will help you create some incredible memories too.
With extended travel, you will really get the chance to explore. You can continue your child’s learning by creating a routine while you’re away, factoring in different lessons while finding time to enjoy your surroundings. You will need some essentials, including a pack and play crib. Learn what is a pack and play and how it can help make travelling easier. This could be a fantastic experience for your whole family, helping to make memories while you all learn a little more about the world.
As they get older, start to discuss current events around the world
As your child gets older, they will naturally start to wonder more about the world. They’ll be exposed to new stories and other people’s conversations, which can leave them curious, and potentially even anxious about what’s happening around them. Being able to have conversations about current events with your child can help reassure them, and help them feel more informed too. You can guide the conversation in line with your child’s age and understanding, ensuring you protect their wellbeing at the same time.
Teaching your child about the world will open them up to a whole new load of learning experiences. You can show them different cultures, landscapes, and traditions - helping to fuel their curiosity and help them develop knowledge and skills that will benefit them later in life too. Learning about different countries can make your lessons fun and engaging, giving your child something to look forward to, and give you some new things to learn too. Make your way around the globe to help your child discover the world around them, for learning experiences they won’t forget.
*This was a contributed post
