How to Teach Your Children About Their Ancestors
Losing your identity and sense of self is easier than ever in today’s fast-paced, social-media-driven, and hyperconnected world. Part of the reason for that is because we’re living in a society that is multi-cultural and borrows influences from dozens of communities; it can be hard to remember your own history and culture while still being appreciative of those around us.
As parents, it’s important to teach your children about their ancestors, and there are many ways to do so, using ancestry research and genealogy tours. Some of the most effective ways to share family history with your kids include:
Encourage them to connect with family members
The best way to learn about one’s ancestors is by connecting them to the people they’re related to. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, and extended family members can often be the first source of exciting family history, sharing moving stories and anecdotes and even talking about their own interactions.
Share ancestral and cultural foods with them
Another great way to help your kids feel more connected to their ancestors is by eating the same foods as them. Whether it’s a simple Irish stew, the many traditional variations of potatoes, or some hearty grains, a lot of culture and family history lies in cuisine, making it an important connector. And who wouldn’t enjoy learning by eating?
Use books, media, television, music, and film
Books, television, documentaries, music, film, and media are some of the best tools to learn about one’s ancestors. Sure, you might not find material about specific individuals unless they’re public figures, but you can easily find information about communities, cities, villages, and other points of interest. These are simple yet engaging and entertaining methods of connecting with one’s history and background, and you can find multiple age-appropriate options in each category.
Take them on family history tours to know more
Apart from all of the above, the greatest gift you can give them is the ability to see and experience a lot of their heritage and culture firsthand. This is where you can take them on cultural tours in Ireland or go on personalised family history and genealogy tours to see their ancestors’ homes and towns in person. Our tours are incredibly informative, detailed, and full of opportunities to explore the exact family’s home, given that our team can locate homes in any Irish county. What could be more exciting for your children to see the homes their ancestors built and lived in, even if it was centuries ago?
You can use ancestry research to teach your children more about the people they come from, their histories, and their stories. It’s one of the most rewarding experiences as a parent, and you can also reach out to us to schedule an Irish ancestry & genealogy tour for your family.
