By Haydee D, Alcantara, Teacher III, Dr. Ramon De Santos NHS

The teaching of Social Studies is essential for the well-rounded development of
young individuals like our learners in school. It is through the teaching of this subject that
learners develop their sense of nationalism because it is in this field that they learn about the
history of their land and the roots of their people. It is within this subject that learners are given
the opportunity to discern the wonders of the real world which prepares them for responsible
citizenship and adulthood. With Social Studies as a subject in school, the importance and
relevance of the past are equated with that of the present in order to equip the modern generation
with the things they need to know so they will have a society that gets better and better as the
years pass.
The young mind is like an empty canvass. It is also like a budding bamboo or a
newly wire-tied bonsai plant. It is like an empty canvass because it is vulnerable to influences.
Social Studies guides these learners in decoding right from wrong so they will not be wrongly
influenced. It is like a budding bamboo because, during their youth, they are best nurtured with

everything they need in order to grow and mature as they are expected to. It is like a newly wire-
tied bonsai plant because, within their innocence, they can be molded into worthy citizens and

productive individuals who are both God-fearing and God-loving.
The Social Studies teacher is like a gazette, an atlas, an almanac, and a manual of
societal life all rolled into one. Like a gazette, the Social Studies teacher relates the stories of
the present with the reasons why they occurred. Like an atlas, the Social Studies teacher shows
the learners where to go and where to find things. Like an almanac, the Social Studies teacher
records all events and tells them to the present generation so they will know how things me to be.
Like a manual for societal life, the Social Studies teacher prepares the youth for a bright life
tomorrow.

Understanding one’s own story will lead to love for one’s own self. This explains how
Social Studies can empower young learners as nationalistic individuals. Being nationalistic or
patriotic at young ages, the young people of our country today will definitely become the
epitome of Filipinos endowed with love for the country and love for its country’s people.
The teaching of Social Studies is essential for the well-rounded development of young
individuals like our learners in school. The young mind is like an empty canvass. It is also like a
budding bamboo or a newly wire-tied bonsai plant. The Social Studies teacher is like a gazette,
an atlas, an almanac, and a manual of societal life all rolled into one. Understanding one’s own
story will lead to love for one’s own self.
Summing up, nationalism among our young generation can be strengthened thru
meaningful teaching of the subject, Social Studies. As citizens of a culturally varied,
democratic society in an interdependent globe, meaningful Social Studies teaching helps students
make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good. As a result, Social Sciences teachers
assist students in better understanding how to interact with the social world, as well as how to
influence policy, build networks, raise government accountability, and promote democracy. For
many people around the world, these situations are urgent, and their resolution can make a
significant difference in people’s lives.