How Important Are Current Affairs for Kids?

Current affairs can be used as a tool to build personality, understand concepts like feminism, expressing empathy for other humans and animals, etc.

The spread of democracy and the experience of globalisation have popularised liberal values like equality, freedom, human rights, and the importance of education all over the world. Most nations have realised that educating their citizens is the best way to achieve an equal and prosperous society.

Education can help solve contemporary problems, such as poverty, women empowerment, extremism, economic development, etc. The Government of India has been championing the cause of women’s education through schemes like ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’. 

For a young country like India, education is the magic pill that can put our country on the path to becoming the next superpower. But are we doing enough to make our children reach their full potential? Can school education provide them with all the resources they need? What can they do to polish their knowledge? The answer is current affairs for kids.

What qualifies as current affairs for kids?

A wide range of topics come under the ambit of current affairs for kids:

• World News: A basic understanding of the world’s geography combined with the political developments of powerful countries is an essential category of current affairs for kids. It will tell them where their country stands in world politics, the types of threats it faces from enemy nations and its relationships with major world powers.

• National News: Current affairs for kids cannot be complete without learning about one’s own country. Knowing about India’s democracy, diversity, socio-political issues, etc., is crucial to becoming good citizens. This knowledge will hopefully make them rational individuals who do not give in to sectarian or communitarian thought processes. 

• Important Historical Days: Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Ambedkar Jayanti, etc., are national holidays we all look forward to spending at home. However, these dates are not just excuses for holidays but form an integral part of current affairs for kids. They allow us to travel back in time and discover our rich history. Mr Shahi Tharoor, MP for Thiruvananthapuram, accurately writes - “if you don’t know where you’ve come from, you’ll never appreciate where you’re going.” Thus, our history helps shape our identity and values.

• Awards and Recognition: Prestigious awards such as the Nobel Price, the Booker Price, the Pulitzer Price, etc., are vital current affairs for kids. These awards inform us about people making a difference in our world through their research, art, or social work. They serve as an excellent source of inspiration for our budding geniuses.

• Sports News: Sports have recently acquired great fanfare and political importance. International sporting events like the Commonwealth Games, Olympics, World Athletics Championship, etc., are great platforms for a nation to showcase its talents. Given the mental and physical benefits of playing sports, current affairs for kids will be incomplete without learning about different types of sports and sportspersons.

• Economy-related News: The reason for rising prices, declining jobs, increased agricultural production, etc., are issues that concern our everyday lives. Current affairs for kids must include information about the economy and how it functions. It will help our children decide which occupation to opt for in future, how to save their money, etc.

• Developments in Science and Technology: Modern scientific progress has transformed our world. From taking our first steps on the Moon to sending a spacecraft to Mars, we have come a long way. Current affairs for kids must include a discussion about science and technology, considering how much technology dictates our current lifestyle. They must be made aware of all pros and cons of such progress.

• Environmental News: Climate change has become our reality. Current affairs for kids are incomplete without mentioning the impact of human actions on the natural environment. This knowledge will hopefully make our children more climate-conscious individuals.

What are some of the ways to access current affairs for kids?

1. Television: News channels come to mind first when we think about current affairs for kids. However, media networks that report unbiased and accurate information are hard to find. Many news programmes cater more to entertainment than news reporting nowadays. Government news channels like Doordarshan can be relied on, though their reporting styles may not always appeal to kids.

2. Radio: All India Radio (AIR) has many programmes covering current affairs for kids. The question-answer format followed by them helps simplify complex issues. The presence of domain experts assures one about the authenticity of the information. Since radio programmes have fixed timings, it may be difficult for kids to align their schedules with them.

3. Podcasts: Podcasts are the most fun way of consuming current affairs for kids. Its pre-recorded feature gives listeners the freedom to hear it at their convenience. The Internet is full of podcasts that cater to current affairs for kids, e.g. Newsy Pooloozi, KidNuz, The Ten News, etc. However, retaining information from podcasts can be a task for kids as they have no written material or visual imagery for reference.

4. Social Media: Social media sites are full of channels and pages dedicated to current affairs for kids. But, sometimes, having multiple sources does more harm than good. Children do not have the time and patience to filter out the relevant information. Their increased screen time is also not helpful for their concentration levels in the long run.

5. Current Affairs Magazines: The Internet is full of current affairs magazines of different kinds. The huge demand created by competitive exam aspirants has contributed to their popularity. The Government of India also releases a current-affair compilation called Indian Year Book every year. But as a source of current affairs for kids, they might be a tad bit too detailed.

How is Newsahoot revolutionising current affairs for kids?

Newsahoot has changed the way we think about current affairs for kids. It has built a website where children can read, enhance their vocabulary, gain conceptual clarity, develop critical thinking and logical reasoning skills, imbibe good values, etc. How has it been able to do this?

• At Newsahoot, no parent will have to worry about exposing their children to biased news. All our writers give due regard to facts and objectivity. Our young readers look at both sides of the coin and are encouraged to think for themselves.

• We make current affairs for kids available in a completely eco-friendly fashion. You do not have to store us like a newspaper or carry us around like a bulky book. We are just one click away from you.

• We write current affairs for kids to enable you to polish your English language skills. Whatever your age and grade, we have got you covered. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced versions of the same article? Too good to be true. 

• You do not have to spend too much time at Newsahoot. Give us 10-15 minutes every day, minus Sunday, and you are on to becoming a champion of current affairs for kids.

• Newsahoot does not beat around the bush but only writes the most important and relevant current affairs for kids. Our content is in line with the guidelines of the National Education Policy 2020. We ultimately help your kid do well in school.

What are the benefits of reading current affairs for kids from a young age?

Competition is the name of the game in almost every field of occupation in India. We must equip our children with the right tools to face this competitive environment. While schooling will give them the requisite knowledge, they will also need to work on developing skills. This skill-developing exercise requires the right resources and guidance, which Newsahoot strives to offer. It also requires discipline and practice, two virtues that will give the best results if honed from a young age.

1. Starting early with current affairs for kids will open up a world of opportunities for your child. They can hone their public speaking skills that will be useful in MUNs, debating competitions, leadership roles, etc.

2. Current affairs for kids provide children with immense knowledge about the world, which helps broaden their horizons. It could make them masters of quizzing, essay writing, student politics, etc.

3. Reading current affairs for kids will help prepare your child for competitive exams they may wish to give in the future, such as civil services, judicial services, etc.

4. Current affairs for kids also provide practical examples of different subject matters and professions. This knowledge could aid your child in finding their passions and interests.