Because of all the school budget cuts, parents have to pick up the slack and expose their children to learning opportunities. Fortunately, the Web is full of teaching tools — if you’re savvy about searching for them. And since children are so computer savvy, accessing the Web for learning wouldn’t be at all unfamiliar for them. I watched my four-year-old nephew navigate YouTube looking for Cape Kennedy launch videos and tornado pictures, so older children should have no problem.
There are plenty of opportunities for learning in odd places, such as in the world of vintage art. Digital old postcards, greeting cards, magazine pages and other “ephemera” contain a view of history that’s quite revealing. The following are just some of the online vintage images you can use for teaching:
Travel Posters
Kids will enjoy learning about their world if you expose them to vintage travel memorabilia. These views of travel from days gone by instruct not only about the destinations themselves, but how different cultures were perceived.
Historical Sailing Ships Photos and Paintings
There’s a lot of fascinating information to be found if children study tall ships. From barqs to Blackwall frigates to the elegant historic vessels that sail in the modern Tall Ships Race, there are interesting details bound to catch any child’s imagination.
American Icon Postcards
There was a remarkable selection of postcards created that featured American presidents, statesmen and even strong female role models. As a matter of fact, these were all the rage. From free Abraham Lincoln pictures to greeting cards with illustrations of Betsy Ross and John Adams to fictional heroes such as Uncle Sam, the Internet is full of antique pictorial references. Many tell stories along with the pictures, making them bite-sized history lessons.
Spoonerisms
Spoonerisms for children originated in the early- to mid-Twentieth Century, created by Rev. William Archibald Spooner and made famous by Frederick Chase Taylor, a radio comedian, performing under the name Colonel Lemuel Q. Stoopnagle. These twisted fables swap the first letter or phonetic sound of one word with the next word or a word that falls a few words away. Some supposed authentic spoonerisms include “cattle ships and bruisers” for “battleships and cruisers” and “a blushing crow” for “a crushing blow”. In addition to being entertaining, these mangled mash-ups also teach kids to play with language.
Victorian Costumes
Studying fashion doesn’t have to be frivolous or just for children who want to become designers, if it reveals a piece of history. Looking at Victoriana what life was like in the nineteenth century century. With any luck, they’ll understand just how good they have it now!
Current Events Teaching Resources
There are also plenty of current topics that can be studied. You just have to watch out for impartiality. For example, there are probably a lot of parents who don’t like the president’s policies. But that doesn’t mean they can’t use Barack Obama pictures, free Barack Obama photos or even free Michelle Obama paper dolls to create interactive social study modules. In fact, one open-minded homeschooling mom used all three to create a tote board for her kids during the presidential election. Her own political views weren’t an issue, As a result or her impartial way of conveying the information. Because of her impartial presentation, her kids are now more able to go out into the world and make their own political decisions.
Remember, children are like sponges, so giving them balanced information is important. That impartiality will make a difference in their world view later in their lives. You never know, one of them might even be president some day!