Explore A Local Monument
Here's What To Do
1
Plan a visit to a local monument or historical marker. If possible, show your child a photo of the monument before you visit to increase their interest.
2
Explain what a monument is.
3
Talk about who the monument represents or the historical moment it celebrates.
4
Help your child make a connection between the person or event featured in the monument and their own life today.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Close your eyes and listen to the noises around you.
E
Engage:
- "This statue is a monument, which is something people build to help them remember an important person or event from the past."
- If there is an informational plaque, read it out loud for your child. Help them understand words they are not familiar with.
E
Encourage:
- "This statue is about the person who founded our city. Can you think of why people making this city a long time ago is important for your life?"
- "Can you imagine how things might have been different in the time when this person lived? For example, they didn't have electricity then."
R
Reflect:
- Do you think your child has an idea of how the past might be connected to present day?
Not quite ready?
Have your child describe the physical characteristics of the monument and how you might use it to navigate your community.
Ready for more?
Read a nonfiction children’s book about the person or historical event that the monument represents.
As your child masters this skill...
They will understand that things in the past are connected to their lives today.