to think this isn't suitable for 5 year olds??

[ginmakesitallok]

Have just put dd2 to bed. We were having a chat about her day, what she'd done at school. She got upset and said she didn't want to talk about it, they'd been doing their project. They have been learning about Egypt. Today they were taught about mummies, about how to make mummies. About how the dead bodies were washed, covered in salt to dry them out and how the brains were pulled out with a hook.

Aibu to think that this isn't really age appropriate????

My daughter did Egyptians in Year 1 (aged 5) and absolutely loved the gory details. She chose "they removed the brain and threw it away because they didn't think it was important" as her favourite fact to recite at the class assembly.

My friend works at the local museum where they do an Egyptian birthday party where they get to see a real mummified skull, and pretend to mummify various toys. Apparently its their most popular party.

Kids love gross stuff.

I'm with MsAdorabelle. I had issues with my 5 year old being taught about crucification this easter, but I would have less of an issue with mummies.

Yes, "age inappropriate" I instinctively think it is wrong.

Would also be interested to know what CfE outcomes this covers, as we aren't able to do it (at most schools I know, actually) because it doesn't link to the outcomes.

Indeed, DS did the Renaissance in Y1. Brain-scraping NOT suitable for 5 year old. NYANBU.

Clearly not all kids.... I would say most 5 year olds dont.

Why is it being taught in reception/year 1. Doubt the children have any sense of the historical time line, where eygpt is etc

Because Gove.

He decided that we need to teach history in chronological order - so rather than teaching young children history that they can relate to, like the victorians for example, you start with ancient Egypt and move on.

However, that was changed in the national curriculum for England, not sure about the curriculum for Scotland.

I'm Scottish but teach in England. As Pipbin said for England. I've usually taught 'The Egyptians' Y3 (Primary 4?) upwards. Hooking the brain out is usually the best bit as far as the class are concerned. Done many a play which involved gruesome activities and performed them in front of 4/5 year olds. No one complained. Have a word with the teacher.

I told my DD (5) about mummies because she was asking about funerals. I explained to her the current normal procedures (burials and cremations) and then to cap it off I diverted onto mummification as a fun way to round it off. She loved it.

Mind you she is very inquisitive and wants to be a scientist so is fascinated by a bit of gore. Her class haven't covered ancient Egypt yet, they did go on a trip to Tesco this week and watched fish being gutted (dd loved it!)

She's in year one and this year they learned the story of the crucifixion of Jesus at Easter and they practised what children had to do when they heard the air raid sirens (hiding under desks etc). I don't think mummification is that far removed from the gore of Jesus nailed to the cross or the potentially scary role play of kids during the Blitz.