The new school term is now in full swing and we’re all thrilled that our country’s curious young minds are back in the classroom learning alongside their peers.
Every school is in ‘catch up’ mode after a disrupted 18 months and, although the summer holidays offered a bit more freedom, it’s likely that your family didn’t get the out-of-the-classroom opportunities for learning and growth that travel to other countries affords.
Here at Rockerbox News, we integrate global learning into every part of our high-impact literacy platform. That’s because we know that global thinking is integral to all learning. Travel not only helps young minds to expand their knowledge and vocabulary, it helps them to learn tolerance, appreciate different perspectives, and become more curious.
Each of our positive news articles is written by a contributor in the country they’re writing about and highlight different countries, perspectives, and themes. In celebration of European Languages Day, we’ve brought together 5 ways you can use Rockerbox News to see some of the positive impacts of a trip to Europe, all without leaving your home.
Bring History to Life
Learning about history is a great way for children to understand and appreciate the world around them. Study of history can improve non-fiction reading and comprehension skills, branch into cultural and political study, and introduce kids to critical thinking.
Learn about European history with Rockerbox News by navigating to the ‘History’ category section. Explore how the Vikings were misunderstood conquerors – did you know how important cleanliness was to them? And decide whether being a professional food taster, like those of ancient Italy, sounds like a good career choice for you.
Spark a Love for Geography
Exploration is so important to the development of any learner, whether it’s exploring a specific topic in greater detail, or (in a wider sense) exploring the world we live in. Rockerbox News’ interactive globe allows young learners to physically explore the world.
Navigate to a specific country (or a random spot on the globe) and explore the latest stories from that place. For Europe, use the Rockerbox News globe to visualize how physically far away Spain is from your home and bring stories (like the Spanish city that turn the rotting oranges that fill its streets into clean electricity) to your doorstep.
Make Science Relatable
The basics of science remain the same wherever you are around the globe. But every country boasts their own scientific discoveries, science heroes, and unique ways of applying scientific solutions to protect their wildlife.
Visit the Rockerbox News ‘Science and Nature’ section to explore our virtual exhibition of all the latest scientific discoveries from around the world, including the discovery of a tiny creature in Russia that recently woke up from a 24,000-year nap under the ice. By learning unsung facts and information, science becomes more relatable to our everyday lives.
Get Their Creative Juices Flowing
One of the most visual ways to engage with people and places around the world is through the arts. Whether it’s drawing, playing music, or baking, creativity doesn’t just help with subjects like art; it can also boost children’s wellbeing, allow them to express themselves, and increase performance in other subjects.
Our global articles on The Arts help children develop their creativity by encountering unique, unsung forms of expression that can inspire them.
Boost Language Learning
Language-learning is proven to have a host of positive effects on children’s cognitive development and academic performance. Other languages also offer children new ways of seeing and thinking. Rockerbox News Word Box articles introduce an array of unique words that don’t exist in English. Others may be words we use all the time, but their meaning in another language reflects the history and heritage of a people that we know little about. From learning that the Germans have a word for laughing at someone’s misfortune, to exploring the Balkan’s whistling language, speaking a new word in a different language is not just fun for your family, it’s something your children will be excited to share with others.
Download the Rockerbox News App for FREE Now
The Rockerbox News app is free to download, free to try, and packed full of global information and news! So why not head to your chosen app store now and make screen time safe, fun, and educational. Who knows? You might find the ideal spot for your next learning trip!
