Americana
• Subtitle Goes Here
Guiding
Social Studies
Experiences
Social Studies Experiences
• Social studies concepts help young
children understand themselves and
the world in which they live
Social Studies Concepts
• Concepts are generalized notions or
ideas formed from perceptions
• Perceptions are ideas formed about a
relationship/object as a result of what
a child learns through their senses
• Repeated experiences lead to concept
formation.
Social Studies Concepts
• Concepts help children to organize
experiences
• to make sense out of their world
• to communicate with each other
Social Studies Concepts
• Culture is learned patterns of social
behavior that includes ideas and ways
of doing things:
• Traditions
• Religion
• Language
• Customs
Social Studies Concepts
• Culture is the lens by which the child
views and judges the world
• influences feelings, thoughts and
behavior
• provides children with a lifestyle
Social Studies Concepts
• People do not realize that their
behavior might be different from
behaviors learned in other cultures
• Children become aware of race and
color around age three
Social Studies Concepts
Multicultural Concept
• Respect for self
• Acceptance and respect for others
• Appreciation of child’s own racial
and ethnic background
Social Studies Concepts
Multicultural Concept
• Skill to interact positively with
others
• Understanding that there are many
ways to do things
Social Studies Concepts
Multicultural Concept
Parent Involvement
• Provide knowledge of family needs,
concerns and hopes
• Share heritage through stories,
games, songs, dances, food and
holiday observations
Social Studies Concepts
Multicultural Concept
Material and Equipment
• Select materials that reflect the
ethnic heritage and background of all
children
• Cooking utensils, flags, games
books, CDs, pictures
Social Studies Concepts
Multicultural Concept
Material and Equipment
• Select materials that are free from
bias
• Avoid stereotyping (ignores
individual differences)
Social Studies Concepts
Multicultural Concept
Material and Equipment
• Select materials that are free from
bias
• Be aware of omission (leaving
out a group therefore implying
that they have less value than
others)
Social Studies Concepts
Multicultural Concept Activities
• Focus on similarities rather than
differences
• Special day—sharing family and
favorites
• Cooking and eating a variety of
foods, music
Social Studies Concepts
Intergenerational Concept Goals
• Learning from and about the aged
• Avoid negative stereotyping
• Promote growth of positive
attitudes toward aging
Social Studies Concepts
Intergenerational Concept Goals
• Provide opportunities to learn how
all people change
• View the aged in a variety of
roles
Social Studies Concepts
Intergenerational Concept Activities
• Themes such as Families and All
About Me
• Document changes in growth of
children
• Arrange opportunities for contact
with the aged
Social Studies Concepts
Government Concept
• Before age 5, limited to pointing out
the flag and pictures of the president
• Recognize the Pledge of
Allegiance and National Anthem
Social Studies Concepts
Government Concept Activities
• Let the children vote whenever
possible
• Let the children set rules
• Encourage the children to make
suggestions and plans
Social Studies Concepts
Ecology Concept
• Ecology is the study of the chain of
life
• Focuses on water, land, air, grass,
trees, birds and insects
• Encourage the children’s
observation skills
Social Studies Concepts
Ecology Concept Activities
• Walks to observe nature
• Keep plants and animals in the
classroom or playground
• Encourage children to pick up
trash
Social Studies Concepts
Change Concept
• Change affects their lives in many
ways
• Help the child understand that
change is constant
• Encourage children to accept
change
Social Studies Concepts
Change Concept Activities
• Observe changes in nature
• Record children’s height and
weight throughout the year
• Collect a variety of clothing from
different ages
Social Studies Concepts
Geography Concept
• Children are natural geographers
• Explore space, play in water, dig
in dirt
• Helps children to understand that the
earth is home to many people
Social Studies Concepts
Geography Concept Activities
• Play reading readiness games that
use symbols to prepare children
to read maps
• Use a map to navigate around the center
Social Studies Concepts
Community Living Concept
• Children are becoming more aware
of the world outside their homes and
families
Social Studies Concepts
Community Living Concept
Activities
• Plan field trips to places in the
community that provide services for
people (community helpers)
• Plan field trips to various workplaces
and businesses
Social Studies Concepts
Community Living Concept
Activities
• Invite people from various careers to
visit the classroom
Social Studies Concepts
Current Events Concept
• Children are usually unaware of
events outside their own
environment
• Encourage children to share events
affecting their own lives
Social Studies Concepts
Current Events Concept Activities
• Show and Tell
• “News” Bulletin Board
Social Studies Concepts
Holiday Concept
• Celebrate holidays to learn about
cultural heritages
• Learn concepts about the continuity
of life
Social Studies Concepts
Holiday Concept Activities
• CAUTION
• Avoid introducing more than one
week before it occurs
• Choose holidays that are relevant
Social Studies Concepts
Holiday Concept Activities
• Involve children in planning
• Consider a “Special Day”
• Invite others to join the
celebration
Incidental Learnings
• are experiences that happen in the course of a
normal day
• How could you structure the classroom to
promote incidental learnings?