Early Education of Social Studies

Social studies combines learning about societies of the past, present and future.

According to the National Council of the Social Studies (NCSS), social studies curriculum covers past, present and future aspects of politics, economics, cultures and societies. That is a mouthful, especially for very young children. While many of these abstract ideas are beyond the grasp of preschoolers, there are concrete ways to teach early education social studies.

Concepts

Freedom and justice are core social studies concepts.

The Alaska Department of Education stresses the importance of big ideas when teaching social studies concepts to young children. For example, they recommend using families to teach the idea of social units. The ideas of freedom and justice are core to all social studies curricula but can be difficult concepts to teach in an early education classroom. Finding ways to apply personal experiences of freedom and justice for young children can lay the foundation for future understanding of social studies.

Daily Practices

Saying the pledge daily is an effective early education social studies lesson.

Young children learn from interactions and experience, which give them concrete ways of understanding abstract concepts. The NCSS recommends ongoing daily practices as a good way to achieve this goal. Simple activities like saying the Pledge of Allegiance and choosing a classroom citizen of the day can help young children understand bigger concepts of nationality and community.

Effective Curriculum

Using a globe can be an effective early education lesson

Effective curriculum as established by the National Association of the Education of Young Children requires children to be active and engaged. The lessons need to have clear goals and build on prior experiences. Focused, intentional teaching needs to incorporate both independent and cooperative learning activities. For example, a geography lesson using a globe can be a concrete way for young students to make connections between places and personal experiences.

Foundations

Knowledge, skills and attitudes are the buidling blocks of social studies.

NCSS states that the objectives of any social studies curriculum should be based on knowledge, skills and attitudes. Social studies for early education lays the foundation for these three criteria. Even in young children, social studies builds problem-solving and decision-making skills, planting the seeds for assessing issues and making thoughtful judgments in the future.

Future Global Citizens

Early education helps create future global citizens.

Early education social studies curriculum creates the future citizens of the world. Starting young is crucial for developing responsible and active participants in society. With the help of a strong social studies curriculum, young children can begin to understand the world around them and participate in meaningful ways.

References

• Alaska Department of Education: Alaska Social Studies Standards and Early Education
• National Association of the Education of Young Children: Where We Stand

Resources

• The National Council for the Social Studies: Early Education of Social Studies