Let’s be honest—teaching current events can feel a little intimidating.
There’s a lot going on in the world. Some of it is complicated. Some of it is heavy. And some of it makes us want to turn off the news and go back to reading Bud, Not Buddy in peace.
But here’s the thing: our kids are already aware that things are happening. They hear us talk. They overhear news stories. They ask questions. And they deserve thoughtful, age-appropriate answers that help them make sense of the world.
So how do we teach current events in a way that’s real, meaningful, and not overwhelming?
Pull up a chair, friend. Let’s talk it out.
💡 1. Start with What They’re Curious About
You don’t need to cover everything happening in the world. You just need to start with what matters to your kid.
- “Why do some people have to leave their countries?”
- “Why are groceries getting more expensive?”
- “What’s a protest?”
Their questions are your entry point. Lean in.
📚 2. Use Books to Make It Make Sense
Picture books, graphic novels, nonfiction, and read-alouds are magical for breaking down big topics in a gentle, powerful way.
A few favorites:
- Dreamers by Yuyi Morales (immigration)
- Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote by Duncan Tonatiuh (migrant journeys)
- The Journey by Francesca Sanna (refugees)
- Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh (civil rights)
- Can I Touch Your Hair? by Irene Latham & Charles Waters (race and identity)
Books give kids context, empathy, and language to explore real issues—without the fear and noise of headlines.ning together.
🎲 3. Turn It Into a Hands-On Experience
Let’s say you’re talking about tariffs. You could explain tariffs—or you could set up a snack store and add “taxes” to imported goods and let your kids feel the impact.
Want to talk about elections? Set up a family vote with campaign posters and ballots.
Want to talk about climate change? Measure your water usage, go on a trash pickup walk, or plant something together.
Hands-on learning turns current events into real-world learning—and makes it stick.
✏️ 4. Ask Open-Ended Questions
This isn’t about telling kids what to think. It’s about giving them tools to think critically and compassionately.
Try:
- “Who do you think is affected by this?”
- “What might make this situation better?”
- “What would you do if you were in charge?”
- “Is this fair? Why or why not?”
These questions don’t need perfect answers. They spark thinking, empathy, and meaningful conversation.
🧭 5. Give Them a Way to Respond
Big topics can stir up big feelings. Let kids do something with what they’ve learned.
- Write a letter to a leader or a friend
- Create a poster or podcast about an issue
- Organize a kindness challenge
- Start a simple community project
- Share what they learned with a grandparent or sibling
Even a small action can make them feel like their voice matters.
Homeschooling isn’t just an educational shift—it’s a life shift. And sometimes, that’s exactly what our kids need.
🌱 6. Keep It Age-Appropriate, Always
You know your kids best. You don’t have to expose them to every detail or every headline.
Think: real, not raw. Honest, not heavy. Empowering, not overwhelming.
Use simplified articles, kid-friendly explainers, and stories that build understanding without fear.
💛 Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Know Everything
Let go of the pressure to be the expert. You’re not one of the many news networks with 24 hour news cycles. You’re Mom. Or Dad. Or Grandma. And that’s more than enough.
Your job is to walk alongside your kids, ask great questions, explore together, and help them develop the heart and skills to be informed, thoughtful citizens of the world.
You’re already doing that. One conversation, one book, one hands-on project at a time.
You’ve got this.
Want to get started with a little help? I got you.
Definitely download my Current Events Unit Study on Tariffs and Immigration in the United States. These topics are current and relevant and deserve to be addressed in our homeschools, one way or another!
