Question

A growing focus on STEM-science, technology, engineering, and math- has brought funding and excitement for these subjects into schools. Meanwhile, the push for standardized testing is requiring teachers to devote a large proportion of class time to reading and math test preparation. One consequence of these dual trends is that schools are skimping on social studies instruction.

Mindful world citizens need, at a minimum, a general awareness of foreign cultures, a passing familiarity with geography, and a basic understanding of history. If you're not sure your child's school is instilling these basic foundations of knowledge, you need to support your kids' learning yourself. Daunting as this may sound, it doesn't need to take an inordinate amount of time and effort.

A good first step is to keep a globe or world map in a prominent location in your home. Whenever possible, refer to this resource in conversation. For instance, if your child is interested in a particular animal, point out where in the world it lives. If older children ask questions about the news, show them where current events are happening If your budget allows it, keep a good children's atlas handy too. This will allow your conversations to go into greater depth if your children show interest.

Children have ever-greater access to high-quality fiction about people and cultures around the world. If you're reading together about a foreign place or time-or if you see your older child picking up a historical or multicultural book--take a moment to find a children's nonfiction book on the same subject. If you don't have time to do this research during a family library trip, most libraries allow patrons to browse and order books online.

This article is written for:
a. Parents
b. Children
c. Teachers
d. Policymakers

Answer 1

The article is aimed at a) parents, focusing on enhancing their children's social studies education amid a decline in school instruction due to a focus on STEM and test preparation. It advocates for home discussions using maps and related literature to prepare children as global citizens. The importance of up-to-date textbooks and an understanding of geography and history in shaping informed, empathetic individuals ready to tackle modern challenges is stressed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The article is directed towards parents, offering guidance on how to foster their children’s understanding and engagement with social studies, which encompasses geography, history, and an awareness of the world. Schools contribute to socializing children by instilling citizenship, national pride, and knowledge about U.S. history and geography. However, the rising focus on STEM subjects alongside the pressure of standardized testing has led to a reduction in time spent on social studies instruction.

As the academic landscape evolves, textbooks in the U.S. are updated to reflect a more accurate portrayal of historical events and attitudes towards other cultures. This evolution in content ensures that children are socialized with a current and fair perspective of national and world history. The study of world history and geography is crucial in forming a global citizen who is prepared for the diverse and interconnected nature of modern life and is capable of addressing global challenges such as climate change, social justice, and human rights.

To support this goal at home, parents are encouraged to engage their children in discussions about geography and history, using tools like globes, world maps, children’s atlases, and literature that introduces different cultures and historical periods. The emphasis is on preparing children to understand world history and geography as living subjects that inform their personal and public lives, fostering cultural empathy and equipping them to address global complexities confidently.