MyLeoNes™

Questions about the past — History, 4–6 years

History begins with a question. We ask what people did, what they saw and how we can find out, instead of trying to remember a long list.

Start with a question

When we study the past, we do not just collect old facts. We begin with something we want to know, such as “How did children get to school long ago?” The question helps us know what to look for.

Why ask first?

The past is too big to look at all at once, and we cannot watch it happen again. A clear question gives our search a small path, so we can notice useful details without guessing what everything means.

A question in action

Question: “How did people keep food cold before a fridge?” First, look at a photograph of an icebox and read its label. Next, ask what the ice was doing. Finally, say only what the clues show: ice helped keep the food cool.

The question that is too big

A child may ask, “What was life like long ago?” That is a sensible question, but it covers homes, food, work, travel and much more. Make it smaller, such as “What did people use for light at night?”

Questions in a museum

In a museum, a question helps you look closely at an object and its label. You might ask, “Who used this?” or “What problem did it help with?” The answers may be short, but your question makes the visit an investigation.

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