If you have a child who is interested in anthropology or archaeology, or even just loves stories about different cultures, then you might be wondering how exactly does writing a culture book help them learn? How does immersing yourself in stories about different societies benefit an aspiring young anthropologist? Let’s take a quick look at how children learn through storytelling and whether or not your efforts as a parent are truly valuable.
Learn Through Storytelling
When you read to your child, you are essentially teaching them how to learn. By exposing them to a variety of stories, you are allowing them to explore different characters, settings, and narratives – all of which can be used to enhance their education. As an anthropologist, you are learning how to properly dig for bones, unearth ancient treasures, and study human culture. They are also absorbing the facts you are teaching them while being emotionally engaged in the story. This, in turn, helps develop their critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving skills.
Culture Is A Continual Learning Curve
The subject matter of a culture book is always going to be evolving and changing. The data you are using can be outdated, and there are always new methods and theories to be learned and implemented. Culture is a living, breathing organism that is always in flux. Your children are going to have to constantly be re-learning and updating their knowledge as time progresses. While this may be frustrating, it also means that there is always something new to learn and that their knowledge base is continually expanding. If your children are enjoying learning about different cultures and their associated customs, then you are doing them a favor by regularly writing a culture book.
Real-World Application
When your children see the results of their learning, whether that is through an interactive story map that brings characters to life or a detailed model of a traditional South American house, they are going to be able to relate what they have learned. This is critical when trying to induce a mindset where facts and figures are valued over testing and repetition. By helping your children see how what they have learned relates to real-world situations, you are giving them the chance to apply their knowledge and develop problem-solving skills. For example, if you have taught your children how to properly count objects, then they can apply that knowledge to real-world problems. If the family has moved to a new country and they are struggling with the language, then your children can use their knowledge of numbers to help them communicate better and work through their frustrations.
A Travel Agent For The Mind
Imagine if you will, that you have written a children’s book about culture and society in Peru. You have incorporated all of the important facts and figures regarding the country’s history, geography, climate, and economy into a fun, informative story. Your book is complete and you have used your creative writing skills to craft an engaging narrative. You have even included some simple and easy to follow dialogues so that even young children can understand what is being said. Your wife, however, is not so keen on the idea of your immersing yourself in such a dry subject matter for hours on end. She feels that reading is for adults and that the boys especially should enjoy more engaging stories.
You have two options here. One is to listen to your wife and put the book away. The other is to prove her wrong and ensure that your children get the most out of their education by continuing to write and read to them. The choice is entirely up to you, but if you truly want to maximize their learning, then the best course of action is to stick with writing and reading. This, in turn, will help establish a strong bond between you and your children. It will also allow you to continue to expose them to new ideas, concepts, and narratives, as well as help develop their critical thinking and analysis skills.
The Benefits Of Using Primary Sources
Anthropology is a social science that relies heavily on the study of primary sources. These are original documents or artifacts that have been preserved from antiquity and provide you with a direct glimpse into the minds of the people who created or used them. If your children are fortunate enough to have access to older siblings, cousins, or friends who share the same interest, then they can benefit from being introduced to the world of primary sources. The more your children are exposed to original sources, the better. This helps establish a solid foundation of knowledge as they grow up, while also allowing them to develop their skills of analysis and deduction. Your children will learn to think critically and logically, skills which will serve them well in later life.
As a parent, it is your job to provide your children with the tools to become independent and responsible adults. One of the best ways to do this is by regularly exposing them to new ideas and concepts. If they are interested in pursuing a career in anthropology, then by writing and reading regularly, you are laying the groundwork for an analytical mind and a growth mindset. These are invaluable skills to possess and will serve your children well in their future endeavors.