Intergenerational interviews to connect family to school

Submitted by Susan R. Laudeman (not verified) on October 23, 2007 - 10:57.

As a mother, a grandmother and a museum educator, I have seen too much adult pressure placed on children if you ask the parent to be involved directly in the Child's project. The parents push the child to their schedule of work, impose their adult organziational skills and inhibit creativity in the child.
A better way to involve parents and the extended family in the child's education is with intergenerational interviews (oral histories). this is flattering to family members to realize that they are a "primary resouce" because of their real life experiences. Food traditons, family tradtions, how life has changed since they were a boy or girl, dating traditions, what it was like to be a soldier,a minority, are some of the meny topics that parents, grandparents or extended family members should share with their children. It is how the culture is passed down from one generation to the next. It connects generations. It is important to teach students how to conduct a proper oral history before sending them to do field work. The student-researcher has to develop good listening skills and recognize that he is the facilitator and not the star.

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