obsessed with countries
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Anonymous
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DS6 has been spending at least an hour daily learning the name of countries in all continents, capitals, flag, and some trivia questions (e.g, which country create that, has the tallest mountain, has what animal etc). He just browses youtube daily for videos like that. He looks at the world map daily, and he does not have any specific goal why he does that. He just wants to memorize those factual facts. He is a visual learner.
I graduated college with a minor in GIS, and has some strong background in geography & geology. And, DH is good in US history, and I have some knowledge in world history/Greek mythology/art history. Is there anything that I or DH know can pass down something that is related that could be interesting to young kid? Unfortunately, I am not a good storyteller or teacher. He tells me that he wants to learn more about other countries, but he cannot tell me why and what he wants to find out. It is interesting that he is a strong reader, but he hates to read books. He has asked me if I can get him some apps or games related to the world for quiz or more knowledge. Any online subscription/website/program/suggestions will be helpful. |
Anonymous
| DD inhaled the Stack the States and Stack the Countries apps when she was younger. |
Anonymous
| He could try to play Worldle on the phone though I'm guessing it would be way too hard, even with his knowledge base. |
Anonymous
| This sounds very much like a child on the autism spectrum, if you didn’t know that already. One of my favorite students was a little boy just like this. You can take him to the public library and the librarian can help you. I am sure he would love a World Almanac or a copy of the CIA Factbook. |
Anonymous
| My kids also adore Stack the States and Stack the Countries and they get Wordle in 1 guess almost every day. They have been into the games for several years. |
Anonymous
You have a wonderful child ! I do not have any suggestions other than to test his interest in learning a foreign language as this might help in any future career related to his current interest in countries. The world domination game of Risk ! might be of interest to your son. |
Anonymous
NP here and teacher. Disagree 100%. Sounds like a cool kid to me! My brother was like this ad a kid with airline facts- still is, and so is his 11 year old son. Both normal people. |
Anonymous
| Sheppard's software has been around a couple of decades now, but kids still like learning with it. |
Anonymous
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I was like this. I became heavily involved in Model United Nations in high school and college. I think now it starts in middle school (and maybe even elementary school). He would absolutely love it in a few years - it’s one of my fondest memories from my younger years!
It’s a little dry and above his level for now, but the PP who mentioned the CIA World Factbook hit on a good idea. It’s a cool resource. |
Anonymous
It is never possible to diagnose a child over the internet. I cannot believe you are a teacher. |
Anonymous
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Yeah, my 12-year-old is this way as well. He uses board games like Risk or memoir 44 mostly for the map and the pieces and creates his own battle scenes and territories. He's been this way since he was little. He loves designing flags as well, thinking about the symbols and colors and things.
He is a rock star history student, not surprisingly. |
Anonymous
I hope you recognize how ridiculous you sound. "I have a student who likes these same things and is on the spectrum so your kid must be as well." Go jump off a log, terrible educator. |
Anonymous
Are you suggesting that autistic kids are not cool?!?!!? And you a teacher?!! What kind of prejudices are you passing on to everyone around you at school? Do you look down on all your students with learning differences and different brain structures? Are you even aware that plenty of your students have HFA tendencies but that the parents haven't told you and haven't sought support from the school? Where is the line to be "cool" then!!! Getting a bit blurry, right? My child is ADHD/HFA and has always had the same hyperfocus about history and military strategy. He's going to write about it on his college essay this week. He has all 5s on his AP history exams. His intended major is international affairs. SHAME ON YOU. |
Anonymous
Does "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego" still exist!? OP, here are some things my similarly interested child enjoyed: Decks of cards of national flags: https://www.amazon.com/Tactic-Games-US-Flags-World/dp/B00006JMXU/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FDYS8ZV/ Ticket to Ride (its 8+, so maybe wait a little) https://www.amazon.com/Days-Wonder-DO7201-Ticket-Ride/dp/0975277324/ Strategy games like Zingo and Clue Jr. When he gets old enough for video games, roblox and minecraft are great. |
Anonymous
| These might be some of the worst suggestions I’ve ever seen |