A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Introduction

Imagine waking up one morning to find out that you have no memory! You are not able to remember who you are or what happened in your life, yesterday or the day before that. You are unable to tell your children from total strangers, you cannot communicate with people because you no longer know how to greet them, or understand their conversation. You don't remember what "the election," "war," or "the movies" mean.

Lack of historical memory is parallel to this loss of individual memory. The link on which we depend every day between the past and present would be lost if we had no memory of our history. And we would miss a great source of enjoyment that comes from piecing together the story of our past.

Today American educators are working to promote the study of history in the schools and at home. Knowledge of our history enables us to understand our nation's traditions, its conflicts, and its central ideas and values. Knowledge of world history enables us to understand other cultures.

We hope to encourage children to love history and to enjoy learning about it. This booklet is a tool you can use to stimulate your children's active involvement in the history that surrounds them every day. It includes:

Basic information about history, and approaches to enjoying history with your children, aged 4-11;
History activities that you and your children can do--at home, in your community, and out of town--for no or little cost; and
History resources in your community and nationally, in bookstores, and libraries.

-###-

[Title Page]

[History Education Begins at Home]