- Definition
Heritage is like a special collection of traditions, stories, and things (like old buildings or art) that have been passed down to us from our ancestors. It helps us understand where we come from and who we are.
A special song your grandma taught you that her mother taught her is part of your family's heritage.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Heritage is like the special stories, songs, and holiday traditions your family passes down from one generation to the next.
Ask your child: What's a special tradition our family has?
Common mix-up: Kids may think heritage is just old stuff in a museum. Heritage is also the living traditions, stories, and celebrations that are part of your family and community right now.
Examples
- The special way your family makes a certain food for a holiday.
- A community festival with traditional music and dancing.
- An old building in your town that tells a story about the past.
heritage is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 2 The Arts
- Grade 2 Social Studies / History / Geography
- Grade 6 Social Studies / History / Geography
- Grade 7 Social Studies / History / Geography
+5 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
