Then and Now: A Kid’s Guide to Life in the Past (Plus, Tips for Teachers!)
Hello to all the wonderful parents and teachers in our community! Have you ever tried to explain to a child that your first family telephone was stuck to the wall? Or that you had to get up to change one of only three TV channels? The world has changed so much, so fast, and exploring these changes is a fantastic way to bring history to life for children.
This journey into the past is all about “living memory”—the time that people still alive today, like parents and grandparents, can remember. It’s the history that exists in our own family stories! To help you on this adventure, we’ve created our “Then and Now! Life for Our Parents & Grandparents” presentation, which you can explore right on this page. This article is the perfect companion, offering a summary of the key changes and practical tips on how to teach this fascinating topic in the classroom.
Exploring “Then and Now”: How Life Has Changed
Our presentation dives into how much everyday life has changed, from the toys we play with to the technology we use in our homes.
Playtime Through the Years: From Marbles to Tablets
In the past, playtime looked very different! Grandparents enjoyed simpler games and toys.
- Then: Children played with colourful glass marbles, seeing who could win the most from their friends. They spun wooden tops and played with simple, hand-painted wooden dolls.
- Now: Today, playtime is often high-tech. Many children play games and watch videos on tablets , while video game consoles offer interactive adventures at home. Timeless toys like colourful building blocks also remain popular.
Homes Full of Tech: Televisions and Kitchens
Homes today are filled with electronic devices that have changed how we live.
- Televisions: In the past, TVs were small, boxy, and only showed programs in black and white on just a few channels. Today, we have huge, colourful, flat-screen TVs with hundreds of channels and streaming services.
- Kitchen Gadgets: Modern kitchens feature amazing gadgets like microwaves that can heat food in minutes. In the 1960s, cooking took much longer in bigger, slower ovens.
Going on Holiday: From Seaside Trips to Faster Travel
The way families travel for holidays has also transformed.
- Then: In the past, families often took shorter trips to nearby seaside towns like Blackpool or Brighton. They travelled in boxy cars like the Ford Cortina or Morris Minor and on steam or diesel trains that puffed out smoke.
- Now: Today, travel is much faster. We fly on planes to explore the world and ride in sleek, modern cars and fast electric trains.
Back to School: A Tale of Two Classrooms
School life has seen some of the biggest changes.
- Then: Classrooms in the past were simpler, with wooden desks lined up in neat rows. Teachers wrote with chalk on large blackboards , and there were no computers or tablets.
- Now: Modern classrooms are colourful and welcoming. Children often use tablets and interactive whiteboards and work together in groups to share ideas and solve problems.
How to Teach “Then and Now” in Your Classroom
This is a fantastic topic for engaging young learners with history. It’s personal, relatable, and makes history feel real. Here are a few tips for bringing “Then and Now” into your classroom:
- Use the Presentation as a Visual Spark: Our embedded Google Slides presentation is the perfect starting point. Use the side-by-side comparison photos of classrooms , toys, and technology to spark discussions. Ask students to “Spot the Difference!” and talk about what they see.
- Create a “Living Memory” Interview Project: The best way to learn about the past is to ask the people who lived it! Have your students prepare a simple questionnaire to interview their parents or grandparents. Questions could include:
- “What were your favourite toys when you were little?”
- “What was school like for you?”
- “What was your favourite family holiday?”
- “What chores did you have to do at home?”
- Set up a “Then and Now” Museum Table: Ask students to bring in an object from home (with permission!) that they think is “old” and one that is “new.” It could be an old rotary phone next to a smartphone, or a wooden toy next to a plastic one. This hands-on activity, inspired by the “Toy Sorting!” slide, makes the concept tangible.
- Write a “Day in the Life” Story: Challenge students to write two short stories. First, a day in the life of a child their age in the 1960s or 70s. Then, a story about their own day. This creative writing exercise encourages them to think critically about the differences in daily routines, technology, and play.
By connecting history to their own families, we help children understand that the past isn’t just a collection of dates—it’s a collection of stories. We hope this guide and our presentation help you and your little history detectives on your journey of discovery!
