How Young is Too Young To Learn About Evil?

re: How Young is Too Young To Learn About Evil?

Sheri — Thu, 15 May 2008 03:04:40 GMT

My son is going to be in first grade next year, and I would be fine with the holocaust being explained to him in an age-appropriate manner.

re: How Young is Too Young To Learn About Evil?

Larissa — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:59:28 GMT

I think the key is (and Dana was on to this with the first graders) is to take cues from kids. Present them with an age appropriate explanation (of evil, where babies come from, divorce, etc.) and then don't force more information upon them past what they are interested in and able to engage with.

re: How Young is Too Young To Learn About Evil?

Dana — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:36:19 GMT

When I was in high school I had to give a presentation about Anne Frank to a class of first graders...and I remember asking my teacher the same question...how do you explain to kids that young something so horrific?

He told me that the best job I could do was to make it understandable and age appropriate. I was terrified that I would have a room full of crying kids.

But I did the presentation...explained that Anne Frank was hiding from very bad people...and the most reaction I got was one little boy asking me if I had brought snacks.

Kids can take a lot more information than we think...they might not have understood what in the world I was babbling about...but at least the seed got planted...the world isn't always fairy tales and snacktime.

re: How Young is Too Young To Learn About Evil?

Sue — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:08:14 GMT

I think kids can learn about most everything, age-appropriately of course.

re: How Young is Too Young To Learn About Evil?

BBBGMOM — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:39:49 GMT

In my opinion - No, K-4th grade is not too young to learn about the Holocaust. My kids (ages 7 and 10) have learned a little bit through books and through a "sharing circle" in which a classmate brought in a granparent who showed the children her concentration camp tattoo and explained about spending part of her childhood in a camp. (This was discussed in advance w/ the teacher and treated very gently and well.) I would guess that the museum curators are smart enough to gear any special exhibit appropriately toward children. My kids also have learned a lot about our nation's history with slavery and the Civil Rights movement. Again the curriculum was age appropriate and stimulated very thoughtful discussions at home.