primary history resources?

[shelley72]

Hi DS (who is 4.9) is showing a real interest in history and asks LOTS of questions about various historical figures - today it was Henry V prompted by an advert he saw for a local play. History is not my thing and I am ashamed to say I struggle to know the answers to everything he wants to know.

Are there any good resources online for preschool/early primary age children? I looked on cbeebies but didnt see anything obviously history related. We always look in the local library for books on his latest obsession, but quite often the books are too in depth and detailed for his age group. I have heard of 'Horrible Histories' but again is this aimed at older children? Is there anything that you would recommend? Like I say it wasnt really my thing at school but if he;s interested I want to encourage him!

Thank you

DS1 (now 9) has been obsessed with history since he was 2.
I wouldn't recommend horrible history until he is a bit older, but try the Usborne Easy Readers eg this one.

Lots of good castle books eg this one

DS also enjoyed Kings and Things by H E Marshall when he was in reception (possibly early year1 so age 4-5, although aimed at older children - and I learnt loads too)

BBC online history education pages are really good. Just wish there were more of them!
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/site/history.shtml

sorry - that might be the sScottish one - there is an English one too!
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/

DD (4.11) is history mad. It doesn't help that our house is full of history books and she browses them and comes with questions about the pictures she sees.

We talk to her about it going into as much detail as she wants. I normally start with Wikepedia and just read the text to her. Some things I know some others I have to look up myself.

We had a couple of books from the library from a series like "Beginning History". We had this one www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Fire-London-Beginning-History/dp/0750237899/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1339420544&sr=8-3 recently. Not too much text and easy to read to a child.

The Usborne flap books "Look inside" are also great.

Depending on where you live start visiting castles, NT houses and museums. I find as an adult I actually start to look at a lot of things differently since DD is there. She sees things I normally tend to overlook.

You may also want to have a look at this

www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100&productId=275012

Thank you, there are some really good links there. Have ordered the usbourne history book from the book people along with a science one. He is asking so much I'm worried im not going to keep up!

That's a good idea about visits - we are in south and so do have lots of things nearby, often with special events / reenactments over the summer. Sounds a good place to start!

I took my four year old daughter to the Viking festival on Dunstable Downs over the Jubilee weekend. The viking tents were only in one small corner of the field, but when we reached them it became clear how worthwhile the drive was. All the actors had dressed up in rough woollen robes. They even wore moccasins. Each tent had an open fire in it with a cooking pot filled with pork ribs and vegetables, (which I assume the actors were going to eat once their performance was over.) I was disappointed to see one viking tucking into a loaf of bread which had obviously been bought from the local bakery. I told him that vikings didn't use that shop.) They all wore chain mail and had a mock viking battle, which my daughter didn't really like.

The funniest thing about it all is that I really didn't think that she'd picked up much about vikings, but she has. She doesn't like their kitchens, they're too smokey. She thinks vikings eat bread and stew, wear blankets, carry swords, have round shields and wear funny shoes. I was really impressed by how much about vikings she'd retained, given that she spent the entire visit asking now can we go on the swings!

If it is near you, Bodiam Castle does a Medival weekend in August. We went last year and DD loved it. We have a great photo of her dressed as a knight.

Hever Castle obvious has the Henry VIII connection and I think they also do tournaments, at least they did it last year.

We went to Arundel Castle in April, again they do all sorts of enactment and it is great.

Have fun.