Social Studies and Me: Using Children's Books to Learn About Our World

Young children are naturally interested in their world. They are learning to understand who they are, who their family members are, and what it means to have friends. They are curious about their communities, who lives and works there, how things are made, and what they cost. They are beginning to ask questions about their environment and the greater world. With Social Studies and Me! teachers can support children's curiosity by using storybooks to engage them in social studies and literacy learning and deepen their understanding of skills and concepts. Themes include: I Am a Person; Families, Friends, Communities; and The Big World.