Kosovo for Kids (and other tough topics)

One day last week, my eighth grade nephew was watching TV at my house and he said, "So why are we bombing Kosovo anyway?" And it occurred to me that this is just the sort of question we adults try to shy away from. First, because we don't quite understand such world events ourselves, and second, because we are concerned that we may not be able to give a balanced point of view. So this week, I'll share with you some very kid-friendly sites that I've found which address not only Kosovo, but other current events.

Kosovo

The events in Kosovo are very much caused by diversity issues. For centuries, the region has been in turmoil, with wars erupting frequently over who "owns" the nation. The situation is quite similar to events in the US which led to Native Americans being rounded up on reservations--except there was no NATO to step in on behalf of native nations.

It's important, I think, to impress on children that the Balkans have been inhabited for much longer than the United States has existed. Therefore, it is not necessarily logical to expect them to have a "share and share alike" attitude. Also, much of the dispute there is over religious differences, which are not handled in the same manner by North Americans.

Students' Guide to Kosovo is the site I e-mailed to my nephew and bookmarked for my own middle school children. Included are links to common Balkan phrases, maps, timelines, and more.

Time for Kids, Grades 2-3 and Time for Kids, Grades 4-6 are two more very thorough sites. Time for Kids in general is always a good site for current events.

Another fantastic site is Kosovo 4 Kids. Here you'll find a thorough yet understandable Q&A, photos and maps; there are also links which allow children to e-mail support to refugees and the American POW's.

The Taliban

If the term "Taliban" doesn't immediately click with you, let me refresh your memory. The Taliban is the group which governs 90 percent of Afghanistan, using extremely strict Islamic law. For instance, stealing is punishable by cutting off a hand and/or foot, and women must be covered from head to toe by a black burqua. Supporters of the Taliban say these laws have helped to restore peace to their historically chaotic country. It also important to note that many Islamic people say that the Taliban has crossed far over the line of true Islamic law.

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