Trying to come up with a way to bring Disney magic to schoolwork? Disney education tools and topics are an excellent way to engage any homeschooling student, no matter what level of interest they have.
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Learning should be fun. Education is its own reward if you are driven to learn and discover things on your own. However, some students need a little extra push or incentive.
In some cases that means something to look forward to once a result is achieved. Others merely require a spoonful of sugar in their education routine.
For those reluctant students, homeschoolers have a unique advantage to tailor learning to their interests. Disney education tools and topics are an excellent way to engage any homeschooling student, no matter what level of interest they have.
Whatever your reason for homeschooling, whatever your child’s needs, the fusion of education and Disney is both natural and helpful. When added to your homeschool routine, Disney education elements bring the subject to life in engaging and relatable ways.
Additionally, they may help to inspire a future generation of creative and innovative practitioners of art and science.
The Role of Disney Education in Homeschooling Children
There are two primary levels in which Disney education works really well with homeschooling routines. The surface level is the fun window dressing of Disney characters and stories.
You can use the fun and fantasy of Disney to finesse academics and give them new luster. Incorporating Disney into your homeschooling routine in this way is incredibly easy because you can just slap a Disney character on anything and make it more appealing.
The other level of Disney education is the actual subject matters Disney regularly dives into and imparts through their own brand of storytelling in media and theme parks.
Make Learning Fun With Disney
The ultimate spoonful of sugar is adding some Disney magic to your learning curriculum. What is so wonderful and approachable about this level of incorporation is that the task of involving Disney is all about the surface appeal.
You can, therefore, apply any Disney character, setting or situation to the exact topic you are trying to drive home. No matter what subject you are teaching, Disney can be infused into that subject in this way.
You can easily teach math, reading, health, handwriting, coding, world culture, or any other important scholastic study by simply applying a Disney context to incite interest and drive the idea home.
The Academics of Disney
Sometimes Disney is naturally infused into a subject because it relates to something that Disney either does really well, or an education topic Disney is already teaching.
With some topics, Disney education is handed to you on. a silver platter. You will find the subjects of Art, History, and Science all over the wonderful world of Disney.
These subjects are less of a Disney facade like the shops on Main Street USA and more direct content like the education-focused attractions at Epcot.
Disney and American History
History is a big topic to explore with Disney; In particular, American History.
As a patriot who regularly served the country throughout his lifetime, Walt Disney infused American History into his park concepts from the beginning.
Before his shift toward futurism and the idea of a peaceful and united world (a theme he developed through the early ’60s), the idea behind Disneyland was predominantly a celebration and a study of America’s history and values.
Disney explored American History through environments like Frontierland and Liberty Square. Attractions like Great Moments with Mister Lincoln and the American Adventure convey meaningful content in an entertaining context.
Teach American History with a Disney angle, by looking to what the Disney parks offer up as illustration and explore that.
Science and Art in Disney Education
Science and Art are practically inseparable when dealing with the subject of Disney education. It’s the secret behind Disney magic.
Disney uses science to inform the art in their films and park experiences. They use art to package and deliver education in science in the form of themed environments, architectural aesthetics, and storytelling. Disney promotes science in a variety of forms and contexts.
Through DisneyNature films, we see the natural sciences, particularly biology and zoology. In this context, Disney heavily leans on the conservation and preservation of the planet’s resources. Disney does this behind the scenes as well so watch What Disney does in real-world contexts to bring further illustrations to life.
Teach Technology through Disney as well. Space Exploration, automotive design and more don’t just speak to an industry. They are a springboard for guiding principles and ideas that inspire and ignite a passion for science.
Disney Education Tools For Homeschoolers
Infusing Disney into the Subject Matter
If you want to use Disney characters and settings as a way to teach children, then try using visual learning aids such as flashcards. Flashcards are already a visual learning tool and Disney is pure eye candy to a child.
Print out or buy cards that use Disney imagery while teaching things like math, letters, and shapes. You can go beyond learning tools like flashcards with story problems.
Disney storytelling lends itself perfectly to packaging problems in a fun context. Use that trick in shifting context to package all kinds of learning material. It’s exactly the way Disney Junior shows convey education to children.
Inspiration From Disney
Gather inspiration wherever you can. Disney Plus is an excellent resource for Disney education because of National Geographic documentaries and other relevant content. Disney Junior shows teach younger children.
There are also reality game shows with a learning context that explore applied sciences and the culinary arts, as well as behind the scenes education about Disney itself.
Disney parks are very educational. Not only Epcot but Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, all Disney parks, convey educational principles if you look for them. Look to the Disney parks for inspiration on subject matters.
Use the Disney parks as motivation to reward kids and have the ultimate field trip, applying what you learned and discovering new insights.
Youth Education Series at Walt Disney World
Disney offers a variety of educational workshops for kids around Disney World that delve into the subjects they are experts in. You can learn about animation, American History, Marine Life conservation, leadership, and a lot more.
These workshops are available to anyone. Prices range from $120-210 per student. You can find out more about Y.E.S. here.
Although it isn’t cheap, It’s a terrific resource to have and a unique privilege. If this is something your kids have done, then share your experience in the comments below.
Looking for more Disney education posts? Check out my Star Wars learning resources and Disney’s Frozen learning resources.
