Parents often think that it is too early for their children to know everything about the world around them: can you explain how banks work, why did dad take a mortgage, or what is grandmother's pension? But in fact, acquainting children with the life of society and the country is no less important than showing all types of birds and wildflowers: this is the same part of full-fledged development. We will tell you why “social studies lessons” are still needed and how to conduct them for toddlers and schoolchildren without boring lectures and complex terms.
Why should a child know about society and country?
Children from an early age clearly understand the difference between "mine" and "stranger". They see that there are rules of behavior in the family, kindergarten - and then at school - in fact, this is an acquaintance with society. Introducing “adult” concepts before school can help your child:
understand how our society really works and why it is important to participate in its life
know your rights and be able to defend them
respect the interests of others
protect yourself from scammers
It will be more difficult for a child who knows nothing about the form of government in his country, taxes, social services and other important things to integrate into society. He runs the risk of growing up as a Dunno on the Moon, who does not understand where and why ferting and santics come from and what opportunities and limitations are in his country.
Is it really possible to talk about this with kids?
Of course, there are things that shouldn't be discussed at an early age. But preschoolers in the framework of family "social studies" can be told about volunteers of search teams, non-profit organizations for the protection of nature, subbotniks in parks. It is also useful for kids to talk on more complex topics, for example, about racism - experts of the British company EqualiTeach are sure of this. Clinical psychologist Yulia Larionova believes that even global changes in the life of the country are important to explain to a child:
Information from adults about what kind of events took place at the level of the family, city, country and world is very important, it reduces the stress of children. The child wants to understand what is happening, and if he cannot, then he turns off: he gets sick or "betrays" violent behavior and unwillingness to learn. This is typical for older preschoolers and younger schoolchildren; this behavior occurs in children who cannot cope with the independent experience of emotions and new situations. They need new words, concepts and heroes. And new words are taken from the one who knows more and can act more widely - from an adult. An example would be a book or cartoon character.
The upcoming census will help tell about participation in the life of the country
In April 2021, a population census will be held in Russia - why not start a conversation about society with a child? The animated series "The Adventures of Vipin" will help explain to the child what it is and why everyone's participation is important for our future. Bird Vipin, which a special jury made the mascot of the All-Russian Population Census, is preparing to conduct a census on its native tree. Five episodes have already been released, in which it is witty and interesting about the first digital population census in Russian history.
Simple bright graphics, understandable short plot - in two minutes of one episode, the child learns:
why the population census is necessary and important, how it is carried out
what is artificial intelligence and how will it count everyone
how to understand the words "migration" or "dependent"
The entire animated series about Vipin can be watched in less than 10 minutes
Funny Vipin learns to divide the pie (how is it correct - according to beauty, intelligence, needs or justice?), In faces he shows possible dialogues when a scribe meets with city residents - a strict teacher, a deaf grandmother, a cheerful teenager and a football fan.
You can learn life in society from fairy-tale characters.
Back in the 20th century, there were many positive, active characters in literature and cartoons for children. Malchish-Kibalchish, the heroes of Nosov, Chukovsky, Marshak, Mikhalkov and Barto - all of them were not indifferent residents of their city and country (albeit sometimes fantastic). Uncle Styopa served as an example of how a real policeman and an athlete should behave, Dunno, together with his friends, changed society on the moon, and Chipollino - in the garden state. Leopold the Cat teaches mice to do good deeds and "live together" - this is how you can tell your child about volunteers and important principles that should be at the heart of society.
In foreign animation, they also talked about public life. In Disney cartoons, Uncle Scrooge teaches not only to save money, but also to respect the laws of the country. Peter Pan understands very well what is the difference between the real world and the Land of Netine will be, and acts according to its rules.
And in modern cartoons, it is customary to talk not only about adventure and love, but also about civic position: in The Lion King, Simba fights for power with an envious and cruel uncle and returns prosperity to the pride. And Elsa from "Frozen" does everything for the good of her people and is ready to sacrifice her life to keep the peace. Do you think this is just an interesting plot for a child? In fact, even the minor characters of such cartoons:
educate citizenship
teach to be brave and kind
make it clear how everyone's action will affect the life of the country in the future
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