general knowledge 9 yr olds

andygb

By the age of 9 (right through to adulthood), I was lucky enough to be given a set of encyclopedia from the 1940's, they were incredible. I was particularly interested in the ancient World - Egypt, Persia and the like, and all areas of Geography and History. By the age of 10 onwards, I was top of the class in all our general knowledge quizzes (we seemed to have regular tests).
I would suggest buying large, well illustrated atlases, history and science books, things which will stir the interest and imagination.

toshkininny

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

What was it, do you mind me asking?

I don't mind you asking, but I can't tell you as I can't actually really remember! It may have been something like she didn't know California was a place in America. But obviously it was something that bothered me enough to start a thread about it!

FBaby

I'd advise instead of trying to teach facts, teach your 9 year old how to access the answers to questions they have. Show that you don't always have the answers and include your child in the thinking process of solving the problem.

I totally agree with this. I took my boy one of his friends out yesterday (10yo) and smiled at what he said to my son. They were talking about football facts (nothing surprising there), and my son made a comment about one of the players (how much he had been bought at or something similar), and his friend's response was 'really? I can't believe it, when I get home, I'm going to do some research about this'.

I also agree with Person One that it is often the case that those with the best general knowledge are those with the best memory.

Big_Bad_Dad

FBaby wrote: »

I also agree with Person One that it is often the case that those with the best general knowledge are those with the best memory.

There are exercises which can enhance the power of one's memory. People think I have a photographic memory, in fact I am truly forgetful! :rotfl:

The key is enthusiasm. The more something interests you, the greater the likelihood to remember thus boosting knowledge.

Goldiegirl

I used to like it when my parents and my nan told me stories from their childhood and young adulthood. I learnt so much history from those stories. I also had a globe, which fascinated me.

olgadapolga

I am astounded by the lack of general knowledge in adults; I just happened to be watching a quiz show earlier and the person in the "hot seat" didn't know where the Crown Jewels are kept. Her answer was that they are housed in Tower Bridge :rotfl: Oops. My daughter (13 yo) was in hysterics over this.

The contestant didn't win.

Goldiegirl

I think it depends on the show, what type of contestants they have.

Some shows have people who have a vast amount of general knowledge, but there used to be a show on Saturday nights - I think it was Dale Winton's 'In It To Win It', where most of the contestants had zero general knowledge. God knows why they were picked for a quiz show.

andygb

Goldiegirl wrote: »

I used to like it when my parents and my nan told me stories from their childhood and young adulthood. I learnt so much history from those stories. I also had a globe, which fascinated me.

I remember stories told to me about the second World war, they were fascinating, also the "troubles" in Northern Ireland.
I had a globe as well, it made sense of the World, and you could see the vast distances between continents.
One of my best presents (it cost a fiver I think) was the Reader's Digest World Atlas - it had everything, and I still have it!

mountainofdebt

Strangely enough my mum (71) has decided that she wants to get a map of the world so when there's a item on the news she can look the place up!

Big_Bad_Dad

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Strangely enough my mum (71) has decided that she wants to get a map of the world so when there's a item on the news she can look the place up!

Alas! So often when conflict is the subject, the region may not always be a sovereign territory and subsequently will not be marked on a standard globe or map. Often the region will be a breakaway entity but without enough worldwide recognition among the known countries. So she might find herself searching hours for Darfur if the report fails to name Sudan (not South Sudan since 2011), or Chechnya (Caucasus region of Russia - between Black Sea and Caspian Sea).

Internet search engines are the repository for immediate knowledge upon inserting a subject. I hope your mum is comfortable at a PC!