To think an eight year old child should know who the Prime Minister is?

[Proudnscary]

My (lovely and intelligent) niece didn't know. She also didn't know who the President of Yanksville was. I think it matters even if David Cameron is a foppish twat of the highest order and Obama is all style and little substance.

I think (especially in this world of X Factor et al) dc should be be educated in the very basics of politics even if it's just identifying world rulers and broadly what they stand for.

I think as long as we all understand, in an age-appropriate way, that individual and local actions shape and are shaped by global politics, the important bit is covered. People old enough to vote need the detail at national level. And 'not being interested in politics' just makes you a political victim. I don't want my kids to be prey to any passing ideology, so I educate them.

You don't have to watch the news with your dc for them to be aware of leading figures and politics etc - I understand concerns about children seeing inappropriate and potentially frightening stories. My ds was freaked out after seeing a headline about the Cumbrian shootings a couple of years ago.

But they learn through us talking to them and discussing this and everything else under the sun don't they?

DS1 is 7, and I don't think he even knows what the PM is,let alone who!

I really don't understand why having a very basic knowlefge of the world around them is incompatible with childhood zukie

I assume you wouldn't be surprised if an 8yo had an encyclopeadic knowledge of dinosaurs or space or whatever. I know lots that do

My 6yo knows that DC is prime minister - don't think he'd know Barack though. We often have R4 on at dinner time, and have talked about what a prime minister is. He was incensed this weekend when DH mentioned a recent column that Charlie Brooker wrote in the Guardian, and shouted "David Cameron is NOT a lizard!"

I beg to differ with your DS cornflake :o

YABU. When my DD's were 8 they wouldn't have none who the Prime minister is. At that age children aren't really interested.

DD1 knew about GB and then DC. Watched the first leaders dabte becasue she wanted to! (Rather rated Nick McClegg all that time ago....)

When she was smaller (about 7) she thought of PM as in charge of the country like Mrs HeadTeacher was on charge of her school.......

Like cornflake I think R4 has a lot to do with it.......and then there's always an avid interest in Newsround.

mumeee - some children are. It#s just more 'stuff' from around them for them to soak up

Cornflakegirl -

Agree re R4 and Newsround (and the kids' newspaper First News online though it's a bit of a bugger to navigate and is only weekly - but the dc like making comments at the bottom of stories and seeing them published).

Haven't read the whole thread so sorry if its moved far past the op, but I'm on an Access course for adult learners at the mo at college...we had to spend half our first lesson on basic politics as the younger members (18-22 I think, about a third of the class) had no clue about parties/leaders/history/objectives/even the colours ffs!

Very depressing! I cant see why anyone would EXPECT an 8 year old to know though. If they do great, but its no loss if they don't is it?

Crossed emails re First News - it's online Cat.

But Babydubs, your second point contradicts your first in a way. Kids should know at a young age (and it's up to us to explain and chat about it) who the PM is etc so they work up an interest and appetite. And eight is way, way old enough to know and understand.

Mike Yarwood even introduced an early 70s young me to trades union leaders.

Slinks away having rather revealed her age..........

TBF I'm a bit unsure since the election.

I didnt say they should/shouldn't know, just that at that age I wouldnt think anything of it if they didnt know. I would expect a child in secondary school to know the ins and outs.

I think its pityful for any adult to not know. And the reasons being touted in my class were along the lines of
'It doesnt effect me' 'i cant be bothered with it' 'i dont vote anyway so i dont need to know' you get the gist....

btw, these were all women and all want to become primary teachers,

Dd1 (almost 8) does not know but she knows everything else thats going on in the works (the earthquake in Turkey ect...), she watches the news but gets a tab bored when they talk politics I'm not too bothered as its not going to effect her childhood by no knowing.

9y DD does know although insists on calling him Caramel rather than Cameron :)

Not sure if she would remember straight off the President's name - she did know for sure, whether she can always remember I am not sure.

But I don't really talk politics myself so not something that comes up often from me, unless we catch something on the news at the time.

BabyDubs - wow, depressing. Makes me want to shout at them 'Do you know that women sacrificed their lives to give YOU the vote only a couple of generations ago?'!

I don't get this idea that having a basic grasp of general knowledge somehow means your childhood has been taken away / eroded.

Children are naturally curious and are like sponges for information. "Knowing stuff" won't harm them or in anyway detract from the experience of being a child.

Well said Catgirl (I think I might have called you Cargirl the other day, if so sorry about that - but at least it wasn't rollergirl)

I agree Catgirl. It's just that I've found that if they are not really interested in something then they tend not to remember it. So wouldn't be able answer when asked. That might just be my children but I don't think it is.

I agree with Babydubs

"just that at that age I wouldnt think anything of it if they didnt know."

Ha :) I have been called worse proud :)