History program with a more gentle approach

[Ruthiegirl]

We have been doing Story of the World for the past two years and my son has grown increasingly sensitive to the negative tone of learning world history. I have no complaints about SOTW. I think it is a terrific program, but there is an element of violence that ds is picking up on.

The history of people is shockingly violent. Civilizations rise, they are overthrown, cities are burned, people killed, a new civilization begins and the cycle restarts. Ds started our last lesson by saying, "Oh great, these people will do good things, get too big, get killed, and die, die, die." He is only 6 and he was absolutely right.

So, is there a program out there that focuses more on living history? -- what is was like to live in ancient times, stories of children living on the Nile, how people planted their crops, etc....something more uplifting.

I don't mean to shield my children from history, but would like to begin with a more gentle approach. They will have many opportunities to learn about the violence of war when they are older.

We are secular science people, so I would prefer a curriculum free of creationism, but am not opposed to religious programs. With a bit of editing, we have used programs in the past that had biblical teachings.

Sonlight maybe? Any ideas?

[lach]

I would think that it would be difficult to find a cohesive history program that is like what you describe. The story of history can basically be described as people doing bad things to other people for personal gain.

However, there are tons of stand-alone books like what you describe. There's a series called "If I were a Kid in..." that deals with a few ancient societies that is supposed to be very good. When I was a kid I LOVED the "If You Lived In..." books. The one about the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 scared the bejeebus out of me, though, so you can skip that one if you're looking for more sensitive history! The DK books deal with a lot of artifacts and cultural information, so while they will have information about wars and whatnot they also tend to have a lot of social history.

[Needle in the Hay]

I second the "If You..." series and there is also the "A Picture Book of..." series, Meet the World's Famous Artists and Composers series, the "Colors of" series (Colors of China, for example) and "Count Your Way Through..." series. You'll have to look through each book to see if there is anything your child would be sensitive to or that you want to edit out, though.

I know what you mean about SOTW, I think 6 is about the very mimimum age for starting those. We read the first two last year when my son was 7 and I did just a tiny bit of editing here and there. I didn't make stuff up ("then they all became friends and had a party") but I did tone down just a little bit of the violence, if he'd been only six I think I would have done more of that. Sometimes, at such a young age, it's just enough to know a city was conquered or that a leader was killed (without going into the gruesome details).

Aliki has some nice books too (such as A Medieval Feast) and there are just tons of great picture book biographies. Try this page on Lillian's website.

[Ruthiegirl]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a bunch wish listed at Amazon and am searching my local library for copies.

And yes, 6 is young. His older sister is the one who is really doing the SOTW and he has just been listening while we read aloud. I didn't realize that what we were reading has been influencing him so much till he made the 'die, die, die' comment the other day.

[AAK]

I also like the books that the pp mentioned.

But, I wanted to mention another option: forgo ancient history for awhile and look at local history, family history, and such.

Amy

[Momma Aimee]

how about:

Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide by Marian Broida

I think there is a whole series of them ..

or something like:

Cooking Up U.S. History: Recipes and Research to Share with Children by Suzanne I. Barchers

how about:

How Children Lived by Christopher Rice


you might also like

More Social Studies Through Childrens Literature: An Integrated Approach by Anthony D. Fredericks

and

Social Studies Through Childrens Literature: An Integrated Approach by Anthony D. Fredericks


and how about:

Spend the Day in Ancient Egypt: Projects and Activities That Bring the Past to Life (Spend The Day Series) by Linda Honan

and all the others liek:

Spend the Day in Ancient Greece: Projects and Activities that Bring the Past to Life (Spend The Day Series) by Linda Honan


and there is a whole set like this one too:

You Wouldn't Want to Be a Roman Gladiator! (You Wouldn't Want To¿) by John Malam, David Salariya

[PGTlatte]

I do not really have any suggestions but I'm taking notes.

Our son is also 6, and quite sensitive to violence. So am I. I know he is not ready for the full truth of the violence in history, so I am also looking to start him in history in a way that focuses on the parts that are the most positive and interesting. I know we will have to get into the more difficult aspects of it sooner or later, but I don't want to start off with the more disturbing aspects of it in full focus, because that would turn him off.

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by llp34

I do not really have any suggestions but I'm taking notes.

Our son is also 6, and quite sensitive to violence. So am I. I know he is not ready for the full truth of the violence in history, so I am also looking to start him in history in a way that focuses on the parts that are the most positive and interesting. I know we will have to get into the more difficult aspects of it sooner or later, but I don't want to start off with the more disturbing aspects of it in full focus, because that would turn him off.

I am new to this too

but

IMO I don't see why with a 6 or even an 8 yo you could not simply "go though history" looking at something like .. the home families lived in at differnt times, or the life of a 6 to 8 yo in differnt times or .....anything they like that you can compare and contrast over differnt times ...rather than the "real history" or wars and so on ....

not sure -- but i don't see why that wouldn't work at this age.

Aimee

[elizawill]

if your child isn't comfortable with descriptive historical events, you could simply focus on geography & culture for a year or two. you can investigate different countries and look at their language, traditions, clothing, customs, etc. when my dd was 6, her favorite book was "children just like me". my children also love biographies, and i've found these books to be a good introduction:

my first book of biographies by jean marzallo
50 american heroes by dennis dennenberg

we also really enjoy living books that reflect the true essence of a time period, but leave out the brutal details. hth.