Studying the ancient world is good for children because it shows them how to gather evidence, devise theories and use their imaginations. It also gives them a sense of their place on the timeline of history. Children need to be able to imagine a world that technology did not dominate. They must know how the earth was before industrial growth affected it. If they know, for example, that long ago wildlife was much more abundant and able to roam freely, that birds were so plentiful they filled the skies, that tribal cultures once thrived in harmony with nature, they will respect and preserve what is left for future generations.
Parents can encourage an interest in the past by taking their children to local museums.
The Museum of Florida History, on Bronough Street, has a brand-new exhibit that recreates what life must have been like for the first people of Florida. Have your child get a good background by reading books on the subject and then take a trip to the museum. What your children will see will be more meaningful to them if they read a little about it first. The library has many interesting books on archaeology, mummies and the ancient world. The books below are just some of what is available, so be sure to stop by and explore ancient worlds with your child.