ABSTRACT
This chapter is here in recognition of the important role of chronological understanding in history, in response to the weaknesses apparent in children’s understanding of time (Ofsted, 2011), and with awareness of the increasing emphasis being put on children having a chronological framework. In chapter 4 we began to explore ways of developing a child’s understanding of the recent past, in particular their own life and the lives of adults around them. In this chapter we will explore further the development of historical time and extend our consideration of time into the more distant past. As well as making reference to current understanding through research on this issue, there are practical suggestions for teaching chronology. Chapter objectives
By the end of this chapter you should:
have developed an understanding of the importance of chronological understanding to the subject as a whole;
have started to think about a chronological framework;
be familiar with a range of strategies to develop children’s chronological understanding.
