Raising awareness of Social Studies for Young Learners Essay

Raising awareness of Social Studies for Young Learners - Essay Example 332). . Social studies are important for students to cope with the problems encountered as they enter school. They are taught the meaning of diversity in school, which reflects the diverse society from which they come from in terms of ethnicity, religion and social status. They learn to appreciate diversity, which is useful in their day to day interactions outside school. The studies equip students with life skills of avoiding conflicts in the society. Students are taught the importance of rules and regulations and the need to obey them. They are also taught to appreciate the established institutions and how to participate in their activities. For example they are able to understand democratic processes and how they can participate in future through voting (Gross, S. & Wehner, 2092). A classroom comprises students from various backgrounds that reflect the society they come from. Children from different families study together and social studies help them to understand their place in the society. For example some children may come from diverse backgrounds such as rich, poor, white, black families. There might also be differences in terms of political and religious affiliations. The fact that the classroom mirrors the society indicates that children have been exposed to diversity. Social studies ensure that children understand this diversity and the importance of social harmony. Mere contact with diversity without its understanding may not help to avoid conflicts as children develop in to adulthood. For example, it is one thing to know that the society comprises white and black people, yet it is another thing to understand that colour difference does not mean inequality (Gurin et al. 361). Children in the social studies class are taught to accept and appreciate diversity. They are made to understand that every person