Entry 2

The social sciences involve children making a connection between their world and the wider world that surrounds them. “The social sciences learning area is about how societies work and how people can participate as critical, active, informed, and responsible citizens. Contexts are drawn from the past, present, and future and from places within and beyond New Zealand” (Ministry of Education, 2007). Children explore the learning area of social sciences through deepening their understanding of their identity and culture, finding their place in the world and the environment they belong in, the continuity and change of what happens not only in their society but in the wider world and lastly the economic world and the impact that has on our lives.

Children’s identity, theirs and other cultures and organisations of people that make up their community all play an important role in the learning of social sciences within an early childhood context. In understanding social sciences, children discover the way society and cultures function together, the different identities, the range of diverse cultures in communities and the effects of these people participating in organisations. “Children experience the stories and symbols of their own and other cultures, developing awareness of the richness of communication” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 97). Children learn to acknowledge their own identity and learn about the culture they identify with.

In early childhood we can support this learning by teaching children to be culturally aware and respectful, teaching them that everyone has their own culture they identify with and the way they choose to live may differ from how the children live. To give children an insight into these we can celebrate cultural events such as Diwali and Chinese New Year in our own centre. “To be culturally responsive, teachers must reflect on personal cultural backgrounds and values, learn about cultures different from their own” (Mindes, 2006). As teachers we need to take a genuine interest in children’s backgrounds and cultures and incorporate this into our teaching.  We can then help children appreciate, understand and respect other cultures.

Social studies learning starts in early childhood education and continues through school. Children develop confidence in working with others to explore the environment and make sense of the social   of ‘place and environment’ as children are finding their place in society and the environment that surrounds them. An important aspect of being involved in early childhood education is allowing children to feel a sense of belonging, both in the centre and in society. By learning about the social sciences children will learn to understand the way people “Perceive, interact, represent and interpret places and the environment” and “relationships that exist between people and the environment” (Ministry of Education, 2007).

In social sciences places and environments are important for children to learn about the relationship between the environment and the places they live. We can support this learning in early childhood through taking children on walks to surrounding areas that have significant meaning to the area, for example we have taken our children to the Auckland Domain.  The children became involved in the community and with the people who make up the society that surrounds them.

Social sciences teach children about continuity and change. “Children will learn about  past events and experiences, actions and the changing ways in which these have been interpreted over time and to imagine possible futures” (Ministry of Education, 2007). Children need to learn about significant historic events. These events have shaped our country and the way we are living today. The Treaty of Waitangi is a good example of this.  Aspects of the treaty are incorporated in our everyday life through laws, health, employment and race relations. Children need to learn the journey that the Treaty has taken to get where we are today and its significance with New Zealand heritage.

The museum provides a learning journey for children where they are able to learn about the history of New Zealand and the significant events that have shaped their society and environment. To create an interactive learning experience we can make our own treaty in the centre where all children are involved, creating a sense of unity and belonging. Teachers can relate this to the Treaty of Waitangi to put this into perspective for the children.

When learning about the economic world children will learn “Ways people participate in economic activities, consumption, production and distribution of goods and services, develop of understanding of own role in the economy” (Ministry of Education, 2007). Giving children the opportunity to gain an understanding of the concept of money, we can teach children about the importance of saving money and spending in control. In centres we can use resources like playing shops with cash registers and play money to help children understand basic economics.