AIBU to think yr5 is young to learn about the Holocaust

[Nolaughingmatter]

Dd is learning about the war at school. She’s been really interested in the topic and I thought it would be more about life for children, battles, bombing, DD day etc.
They’ve now started to teach about the Holocaust. Dd personally isn’t upset about learning this, she more found it incredulous that people would commit such attrocities..
As an only child and with me not going out to work, we have time to talk and I am able to explain things to her in a way it won’t phase her. However, not all kids are like her, some may be going home upset and possibly not even talk to their parents.
Dd told me they viewed a film about the camps with dead bodies today and touched on the gas chambers. Again it didn’t upset her. I imagine the film was footage taken at the end of the war when the allied forces arrived.
Just wanted to ask mumsnet about school teaching this so young.
I’ve used a different username as this post is very identifying.

Both my kids read The boy in the striped pyjamas in primary 5 as part of school work. I think it’s pretty standard for kids to learn about this before high school. Your child isn’t upset so there’s not even really an issue. Are you annoyed that it’s being taught?

I think that you can trust the teachers. It's all National Curriculum stuff, so it's been evaluated.

I think it's ok to start learning about it. I talk to my year 5 DD about it. It's really important in terms of history, lessons that should be learned, and the future.

It was a year 4 curriculum when i was at school about 18yrs ago, we had a very traumatic confusing trip to Eden camp but we came out unscathed and better for it
It puts life into perspective

We teach WW2 in yr5 but as you suggested, we focus in on the home front and Britain in the war e.g. rationing, evacuation, women in the war, dig for Victory etc. I've found it's impossible not to discuss the holocaust simply because some children already know things about it and bring it up. It's a good opportunity to discuss discrimination and why/How we can prevent it from ever repeating. Our school never goes into the horrific details as we feel they are too young, and we wouldn't show videos. Our children can read the boy in the stripped pajamas with written permission from parents.

I think it's ok. It's important that children learn about these things and having it introduced when they're younger helps them to grasp the full horror of it when they're older.

Horrific as it is, children of that age were not spared the camps and we all need to learn and relearn the lessons we can draw from history - it's trite, but those that forget really do repeat it.

I'm not sure about the video but I don't know anything about education before they get to uni; I think I would trust the school on this one. I would have been upset by it at that age but... it is upsetting. That's a normal reaction and sadly we cannot shield them.

That said, I would hope that the teachers provided support for the children that were very upset like the one a PP wrote about; especially when we're younger we all need help processing things like this sometimes.

As an aside, the Weiner Library is an excellent resource for those hoping to trace family members or find out more: www.wienerlibrary.co.uk/ - the collections are based on archives that the founder started to collect in Germany before the war and they carried on collecting through Nuremberg and beyond.

You worry it will be more traumatic for children of working parents?
I’ll put you at ease, we also have time to talk to our children and develop the same close bond those who do not work outside then home.

When I was eight my dad took me to Bergen Belsen and to dachau when I was 10.

The world can be a horrible place. I’m glad my dad educated me in what hate can result in. Yes it was a bit scary but it didn’t ruin my childhood

Actually, World War II isn’t on the current national curriculum for KS2. Its doesn’t technically come in until Ks3.
As a PP said, even when it was on the curriculum a few years ago, the focus was on life on the Home front and what like was like for British children during the war.
I’ve been teaching many years and have never taught the holocaust. There will always be some children who it effects much more than others . Anecdotally, some 9 year olds are fine with it, but there are many that are not. I’m not saying it shouldn’t be taught, but there is no need for them to know it at 9

Rather than being OK to learn about the Holocaust, I think it’s essential from a young age that children are supported to understand the magnitude of the horror, to grown up truly appalled with every fibre of their body and to understand we must try never to allow similar situations to occur again.

Year 5 is fine. Mine were visiting the Imperial war museum exhibition and listening to holocaust survival stories by then. I remember going to the Holocaust memorial centre with them near Nottingham too. They met and listened to stories of Kristelnacht but we decided against the talks on Rwanda as too graphic for all but the eldest. With older ones studying history, younger ones had to come along when we did relevant visits and experiences outside of school.

Absolutely agree with you NeitherNowtNorSummat01. And that is pretty much what is in the guidance for primary schools from the Holocaust Education Trust.

Abitlost
I’m sorry if that part of my post offended you. I’m sure you have time to talk to your children. I meant I have a lot more time. And only one child. It was in no way a dig at your status or mine.

To be clear it I can and should be taught at an age appropriate level. One of the areas covered could be the kindertransport.

I’ll have a look the holocaust education trust. Thanks.

Glad crumbs mentioned Rwanda, amongst a host of other atrocities that have been visited upon our fellow humans since WW2

Came onto the thread to say YABU and then read raindrops post.
Even more so.
My two have both learnt about the 2nd World War/Holocaust and they're 10 and 14.)
2nd World War approx age 9, did the Holocaust in more depth when age about 12.

I took my son to the Jewish museum in Sydney last Sunday for the first time since he was a baby. He's just started Year 6 now. I think it's especially important with everything going on right now.

What about the kids, who have nightmares? My friends ds came home really upset and refused to eat.

That's an entirely appropriate response to the holocaust. Children in Burma and Syria are living this right now. We need to raise children that care when others are being annihilated.

Yes I totally agree it’s important. Which is why I told dd about the annihilation of the Jews, not expecting School to do so. She also saw The Anne Frank exhibition recently, which is touring the country. So dd already knows a lot more than she’s been taught. She was actually told to stop talking about stuff today as it was for tomorrow’s lesson.

And I will of course teach dd about Rwanda and ethnic cleansing. But not quite yet. Dd is still digesting and learning about this.

I get it OP, but its so important to learn. I'm a secondary school teacher and every year on Holocaust memorial day I would read survivors stories to my tutor group. They hadn't had the depth of understanding I would have liked them to have so I took that responsibility on. We have a frank and honest discussion each year and each year they surprise me with their thoughtful questions and maturity.

The way the world is going, it is vital to know what happens if we don't challenge hate and discrimination and stand up for those who cannot protect themselves.

I read The Diary of Anne Frank in T5 in the 90s. We also had a visit from her stepsister who wrote a book and we studied that too.

I'm Jewish so I don't remember learning about the Holocaust, it's always been there. It was why my Grandfather had numbers tattooed on his arm, why he said he had eight siblings but we only ever saw one of them.

There's age appropriate ways to discuss these things.

My DGF was with the regiments that liberated Belsen Berger, so I grew up hearing about what he saw. Guess it was a bit different in the 80's though, as most of us had DGP and parents who lived during the time and it was a common topic of discussion.

I’ve given dd my copy of the diary to read. They’re also learning about Anne Frank this week.

Idk if they will continue to teach about the Holocaust after this complaint though. I’m fine with them continuing. Dd already knows a lot.

Sparky
So many deaths. Your grandfather must have been a very strong man to have survived. I’m in awe of anyone who did.

I don’t think it’s too young at all. The teacher is probably pitching it age appropriately. These things are essential to learn and it’s best to build on whilst they’re younger.

I remember going to Auschwitz on a school trip when I was 13. It’s stayed with me forever. All those people. It’s beyond my comprehension as an adult exactly how this could have happened - though I understand the history.

Everyone should go. Year five is plenty old enough to start learning this.

Crazy
My gf was also at Belsen. He died when I was a baby but never spoke much about it. All I know is that he drove one of the tractors clearing the bodies and met the survivors.