Making Ancient Greece for kids interesting and intriguing isn't difficult, especially if you are willing to employ some creative tactics such as art projects, dramatic presentations, and other methods that kids respond well to. After all, there are more ways to learn about history than reading about it in a textbook.
Ancient Greece Basics
If you aren't sure about what elements of Ancient Greece you should be teaching your kids, here are the basics to get you started:
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Location: Greece is located in the Southern region of Europe between Turkey and Albania. Notable cities from Ancient Greece include:
- Troy
- Alexandria
- Athens
- Sparta
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Timeline: Ancient Greece usually refers to the period of time in Greece before the Roman Empire, but the term can be used more specifically to refer to the time period in Greece from approximately 750 B.C. until around 146 B.C. According to many historians, this time period includes:
- The Greek Dark Ages
- The Archaic Greek Period
- The Classical Greek Period
- The Hellenistic Greek Period
- The Roman Greek Period
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Famous Figures: You're probably familiar with most of these historical figures from Ancient Greece:
- Aristotle
- Plato
- Socrates
- Homer
- Alexander the Great
- Sophocles
- Historical Significance: Ancient Greece was highly regarded for architecture, philosophy, education, and political innovations.
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Mythological Characters: Ancient Greece for kids in school will probably include a study of the more prominent figures from Greek mythology including, but not limited to:
- Eros, the God of Love
- Hestia, the Goddess of the Hearth
- Hades, Lord of the Underworld
- Poseidon, God of the Sea
- Zeus, Ruler of the Gods
- Ares, the God of War
- Aphrodite, Goddess of Love
For a highly detailed historical account of Ancient Greece, websites such as AncientGreece.com will give you plenty of information regarding this exciting time in history.
Make it Interesting: Ancient Greece for Kids
Teaching kids about Ancient Greece is a great idea. This historical period of time within this location is repeatedly referenced throughout school, especially when studying history, philosophy, art, and any number of other subjects. Making the subject interesting for kids may pique their interest and allow them to retain their knowledge while also compelling them to seek out more information on their own.
Art
Art projects regarding Ancient Greece are a great way to get even the youngest child interested in this subject. A visit to an art museum will probably yield some great information regarding Ancient Greece, but getting kids involved in their own art projects may make Ancient Greece for kids even more interesting.
Assist children in crafting projects showcasing architecture, fashion, and maps from Ancient Greece.
Theater
Presenting Ancient Greece within a theatrical context can make the subject immensely intriguing to kids. You don't have to attend an official theater presentation of a Sophocles play in order to use theater as a medium for learning about this time period. A theatrical presentation presented at home in your own living room can be just as fun.
Help your kids research the costumes, scenery, and storyline that would be appropriate to Ancient Greece. They'll have fun crafting a production from beginning to end, all while learning more about Ancient Greece.
Movies
For some kids, watching a movie helps them to better understand a subject because it brings everything to life. There are plenty of movies set in Ancient Greece that are appropriate for some ages. Of course, you will want to screen movies before presenting them to children - especially young children - as some movies centered around Ancient Greek battles and scandals are too mature for certain ages.
Your Child's Interests
The best way to figure out how you should approach your child's education of Ancient Greece is to figure out what he or she responds to the best. Don't force a child to create an art project if that same child would like nothing more than to read stories about the subject.
As with all academic subjects, if you can capture your child's interest then the information may be better retained.
