The best history programs for kids

An in-depth review of the most comprehensive, accurate, inclusive World History and US History Programs for K-12th Grades. And is learning real history too traumatic for children? Find out here.

The exploration of history, derived from the ancient Greek word historía, meaning "inquiry" or "knowledge gained from investigation," serves as a vital conduit to understanding our collective past. Yet, history is often anything but straightforward; it is a complex, arduous, and frequently painful narrative to unravel, laden with the biases and omissions of those who record it.

Recent movements like Black Lives Matter have spotlighted the urgent need to reassess and refine educational materials to be both anti-racist and decolonized, ensuring they more accurately reflect diverse experiences and truths. Amidst this backdrop, an increasing number of Black families are turning to homeschooling as a means to offer their children a more inclusive and truthful representation of history. The growth in the Black homeschooling population—expanding fivefold since the onset of the pandemic—highlights a profound dissatisfaction with the conventional educational system. Many parents cite the whitewashing of history as a pivotal reason for their shift toward home education.

Comprehensive Curriculum for Complex History

Building a foundation in history that not only educates but also empowers children requires a curriculum that embraces the full spectrum of human experiences. With an eye toward fostering a more comprehensive understanding of our world, my favorite history curriculums for kids aim to bridge the gaps often left by traditional education.

“The Founding Fathers were visionaries, but their vision was limited. Slavery blinded them, preventing them from seeing black people as equals. We the people have the opportunity to broaden the founders’ vision, to make racial equality real. But we can no longer avoid the most troubling aspects of our past. We have to have the courage to teach hard history, beginning with slavery” Hasan Kwame Jeffries| Teaching Hard History | Southern Poverty Law Center

From exploring the vast narratives of World History with engaging tools like Curiosity Chronicles to delving into the nuanced tales of US history through programs like River of Voices, these selections offer a vibrant tableau of the past. Moreover, they shine a light on often overlooked stories, including those of LGBTQ+ communities, Indigenous Peoples, and Asian American histories.

These hand-picked curriculum recommendations express nuanced understanding of children’s diverse developmental stages and readiness, introducing history in a way that is honest, but also sensitive and adaptable to the needs of children of different ages and sensitivities.

This article will guide you through an array of educational resources, including free programs with a social justice focus, designed to inspire a new generation of learners to appreciate the rich, albeit sometimes challenging, mosaic of our shared history.

Outline of this Post

🌍 1. The best World History Programs

🇺🇸 2. The best US History Programs

📚 3. All-in-One Curriculum with the best History Programs

🕰️ 4. Even MORE History Programs I recommend

💕 5. An Online Community to Support History Instruction: Secular & Decolonizing Homeschooling Resources and Connections

💡6. Beyond Curriculum: Pro Tips for Teaching History

🔎 7. Key Terms to know when talking about history

⏰ 8. FAQ: When to Teach History and is real history too traumatic for children?

🔦 9. The vetting process: my background, what I looked for and how I vetted

🌍🇺🇸 10. Why only World History and US History in this post?

📆 11. Next Week: Social Studies!

📚 12. Sources and Further Reading

BONUS: I’m still learning…what did I leave out? What could be improved? Share your feedback and favorite resources in the comments section

And NOW, the recommendations!….

🌍 1. The best World History Programs