Arctic Fact 4

In this short video, Earth Cubs ask a question that children may never have thought about: where does the word Arctic come from? It is a quick, curious fact about one of the coldest places on our planet, and it is a lovely way to start a conversation about the far north.

Children learn that the names of places have stories behind them, and that finding out where a word comes from can tell us something about the world. It also gently connects to the bigger picture of looking after the polar regions, which is part of the Climate Action global goal.

The video is short, so it works well as a starter for a lesson or a talking point at home. You could ask: Why do you think the Arctic has the name it does? Can you think of other places whose names you would like to find out about?

For a follow-up activity, children could find the Arctic on a globe or map, then draw what they imagine it looks like and add a label in their own best writing. Older children in the 7-11 range could look up the origin of another place name and share it with the class. It is a simple fact video that suits curious learners and teachers looking for a quick Arctic fact for kids.