Children Enjoy Family History!

This post has been adapted from one that I put on the grandchildren's blog a while back.

Connor~Cool as a cucumber just before the presentation.

Getting children involved in family history is really a great idea. It give them a sense of who they are and where they came from and helps them visualize a bigger picture when it comes to family then just their own immediate family. A few years ago I got to go to the kids' school and listen to Connor give his ancestor report. He did a lot of research and did an interesting presentation to his class about Grampa Andrew. A few of his facts and dates are incorrect but the point was it got him thinking about his ancestors and he seemed to really enjoy that. You are never too young to begin to look beyond yourself and into the lives of those who came before you.

This is a wonderful assignment that gives the fourth graders an opportunity to actively learn about their roots. It is a way for them to appreciate who and where they came from and to realize that the choices made by their ancestors affected who they themselves are. If Andrew had not decided to come to America...then what for the rest of us? Their decisions allowed us to live and be who we are today. They didn't often consider such things when they made these kinds of decisions but we can truly appreciate them in retrospect, can't we? Where they choose to live affects every generation after that. Because our ancestors marry people they live near.

Connor, as your grandparents we am very proud of you, as are your Mom and Dad. We recorded this presentation to share with Grampa and Grandma Gloria and the rest of the family and some friends. Your previous experience as a news reporter on TV for two broadcasts of the local news and your opportunities to speak in church have helped you become very comfortable in front of a lot of people. What a wonderful experience. Not a lot of adults could have done as well as you did and with such confidence and ease. Good Job, Con!