Even though my two children are still quite young they are gradually becoming aware about my research into my Family Tree. It is known as ‘my hobby’ or ‘mummy’s project’ to them.
As a primary teacher I touched on this topic lightly as the children I taught were young. It came under the topic ‘All about me’ or ‘Me and my Family’ and it was always good fun to do. Little ones are never lost for words when talking about themselves and all the things they know and can do. The main difference between children doing their family tree compared to adults, is that kids include their pets!
Here are some ways to develop a child’s interest in learning about the Family Tree.
THROUGH BOOKS
A great book I read at Secondary/High School about pets and family which I highly recommend for older children is My Family and Other Animals written by Gerald Durrell, a man who had a great influence in Jersey.
Recently a school book catalogue came home and in it was a book especially for children wanting to learn about their family tree. I was intrigued to see how they would present it for young ones, so I bought it. It is a lovely book with a great huge pull-out-poster for the child to fill in with pictures of photos of members of his/her family. It is a colourful book called My Family Tree.
Here is the poster from the book filled in for my children.
The poster was a great source of discussion when my son took this poster to school for ‘Show & tell’.
THROUGH ACTIVITIES
Scrapbooks are a great to way collect and store information. It is also good fun too!
- Write a heading or title on each two page spread, eg: My favourite toys (put age or year with the photo) / My pets – photos, paw print in paint / My Homes – photos of house your child has lived in and the dates
- Collect photos from milestones
- Keep cinema tickets and stick them in
The list could go on and on. What ever is stuck in will be a great record of times in your child’s life. It will all record a particular time in history
THROUGH WEBSITES
I have also found a few useful websites which give ideas on activities to do with your child based on genealogy and family history.
THROUGH PRINTABLES
Below are a selection of printable worksheets that I have found on the internet of the Family Tree for children to fill in:
Pedigree Chart #2 – from ancestry.com
THROUGH ART
Handprint Family Tree – from DISNEY family fun website
- A great idea and fun activity for the whole family to participate in!
My Channel Island Ancestry 
I know that this is an older post, but thank you so much for some of these links! I’m gathering ideas for teaching a class in April on doing genealogy with children. These will be very helpful.
You are very welcome. I am glad you have found my website useful! Thank you for visiting. 🙂
Can you please tell me the authors name on my family tree book for younger children looks great with the relevant chart.thank you
Thanks for stopping by My Channel Island Ancestry. I cannot see an authors name but the publishers are Five Mile Press. Here is a link to the book on their website:
http://www.booktopia.com.au/my-family-tree-the-five-mile-press/prod9781742116389.html
Ramona