1. About Family History 2. My Family Tree
In his book, The Secrets of a Happy Family (quoted here), Bruce Feiler records a conversation he had with Marshall Duke, a professor at Emory University who researched American families. According to Professor Duke, "The more children knew about their family’s history, the stronger the sense of control over their lives, the higher their self-esteem, and the more successfully they believed their families functioned." The Kids Corner of The Family History Guide is a place where children can go to discover and experience the joys of family history.
Read more in this blog post: Six Tips for Involving Children In Family History And Helping Them To Love It
More helpful links:
Here are some additional coaching and motivation tips:
This is your place for family history fun!
* Learn about your family tree, your parents' and grandparents' lives, and about other ancestors.
* Play cool games and discover some great activities for family history.
* Try this page out, and share the ideas and activities with your siblings, cousins, and friends!
* You can find more activities in the Family, Individuals, and Youth pages of The Family History Guide. When you need help, be sure to ask your parents, a leader, or a family member you know.
In an article titled "Four Reasons You Should Study Your Family History," Emily Christensen says, "Studying family history brings more than just historical knowledge; it builds relationships. Learning the stories behind names and dates teaches a personal history that explains more than just how each person came to be." The four benefits are softened hearts, greater unity, increased peach, and bridged generations. Dr. Duke (Emory University) found that the most healthful narrative is the oscillating family narrative and that children who have the most self-confidence have what a strong “inter-generational self." They know they belong to something bigger than themselves. Helping children fill in a family tree and get to know about their ancestors is a way we can strengthen them to successfully navigate life. View Lisa Louise Cooke’s interview with New York Times columnist Bruce Feiler discussing how family history can actually help today’s children and families be happier. View 20 questions he used for research, and see how they can be helpful as you create and discuss your child’s family tree.
Activities marked by an asterisk (*) take little or no prep time.
Find more activities here: 1. About Family History 3. Group Fun and Games 4. My Memories 5. Family History Stories 6. Service 7. For Latter-day Saints