Childhood then and now
Identify continuity and change between aspects of their daily lives and their parents' and grandparents' childhoods, such as school, play, toys, chores, food and technology
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“Childhood then and now means spotting continuity and change between a child’s daily life and parents’ or grandparents’ childhoods—school, play, toys, chores, food, and technology. We will compare three topics, then check a fresh topic.”
Bring to the table
- Two columns on paper: Then (grown-ups’ childhood) / Now (child’s life)
- Six topic cards: school, play, toys, chores, food, technology
Extra for the adult
Worked example. Grandparent played outdoors with simple toys (then). Child may use different toys and technology (now). Some chores still exist (continuity).
Optional challenge. For Childhood then and now, find one continuity and one change in the same topic (for example food).
What to notice. Keep one parent note: topics compared; continuity/change labels; support used. This session samples comparison, not mastery of every generation.
Share and support
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Childhood then and now means spotting continuity and change between a child’s daily life and parents’ or grandparents’ childhoods—school, play, toys, chores, food, and technology. We will compare three topics, then check a fresh topic.
Materials: Two columns on paper: Then (grown-ups’ childhood) / Now (child’s life); Six topic cards: school, play, toys, chores, food, technology. 1. Draw Then / Now columns. Name the six topics. 2. Pick school, toys, and technology. Adult shares one then fact; child shares one now fact. 3. Mark each pair as mostly same (continuity) or different (change). 4. Fresh check: child answers one new prompt on the same idea. Record and stop. Done: Show a fresh topic. Proof: parent note of examples tried and support used. Stop: End after the fresh check; keep optional challenge for another day.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Practice this concept
Start practiceChildhood then and now practice
Spot continuity and change across childhoods.
Free · no login · no ads · Practice answers and completion are not saved. Parent observation remains the lesson record.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
The National Archives · Practice link — not the full lesson
Education
Before you open · source notes
Education supports Childhood then and now. An adult previews and guides; this is a learning page, not a scored quiz.
Free educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk one then/now childhood difference (school, play, toys, or chores).
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public The National Archives page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-14 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
The National Archives. “Education.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Interview a parent or grandparent with prepared questions about school, toys or chores when they were young
- Sort pictures into 'same then and now' and 'changed' (e.g. playing ball games vs video games, walking vs being driven to school)
- Explain one continuity and one change between their life and a grandparent's childhood, using information from the interview
“After chatting with a grandparent about when they were young, can your child tell you one thing that's the same today and one thing that's changed?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- History
- Domain
- Family & Community History
- Age range
- Ages 6–12
Standards