One school of thought holds that it is more important for children to learn about national history than world history. While some people argue that children should focus more on national history than world history, I believe both are important in their own ways, so neglecting one in favor of the other would be a mistake
On the one hand, it is understandable why some people believe that gaining an understanding of world history is unnecessary. The primary reason is that national history is more closely connected to real life. National history is not a collection of distant stories, but it forms the foundation of today’s society. What we experience in the present such as the political system, cultural traditions and even social conflicts all have roots in the past. For instance, to understand why a country strongly values independence, one must look back at its struggles for freedom. Besides, by understanding about national history, people not only gain insight into how their country was built and protected but it also fosters pride and unity, which helps a country develop further.
On one hand, learning about national history is essential for children to understand their roots. National history teaches children about the history of the country’s formation and the hardships, thereby helping children build national pride.Children will be grateful and appreciate the work of our ancestors. For example, by learning about the struggle for independence, children will feel how difficult and arduous it was, and how much their ancestors valued independence, thereby becoming more grateful and appreciating the value of freedom.
On the other hand, world history provides valuable context and broader perspectives. In an increasingly globalized world, it is important for young people to understand how different cultures and nations have influenced each other. Learning about global events such as World Wars, the Industrial Revolution, etc., helps children see the connections between societies. Through this, children broaden their horizons and better understand the development of humanity and countries in a global context. Children develop tolerance, empathy and a more comprehensive view. Moreover, studying national and world history will give children the most realistic comparison of the cause and effect of a historical event. For example, many Vietnamese historical events are related to the world. If not studied, it will be truncated, incoherent and unclear.
In conclusion, While national history plays an important role in shaping personal identity, world history is also essential to prepare children for global integration. Combining the two helps children know who they are and understand how the world works. Therefore, I believe that children should learn both national history and world history in a balanced and integrated way.