Sex education to begin at age 4

The Daily Mail reports that Children as young as four are set to be given compulsory sex education in primary school. They will be taught the names of body parts and basic ideas about different relationships.

Government advisers claim that 'gradual education' from such a young age would help to stop children from rushing into sex when they are older. They argue that the sex education that children receive in science classes does not go far enough.

But the recommendations caused a storm of protest yesterday, with family campaigners claiming that the views of parents and teachers are being ignored. Norman Wells, director of the pressure group Family and Youth Concern, said: 'What this is really all about is the sex education establishment trying to force schools to do something many parents - and many teachers - are uncomfortable with.'

At present, primary heads and governors decide whether or not to provide sex education and what it should involve beyond the compulsory science requirements laid down by the national curriculum. They must have a policy on whether or not they provide sex education. If they do provide it, usually in personal, social and health education (PSHE) classes, parents have the right to withdraw their children.

But the FPA - formerly the Family Planning Association - the sexual health advice service Brook and the Sex Education Forum are recommending the introduction of compulsory lessons. They are taking part in a Government review of Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) in primary and secondary schools. The charities sit on a panel, which is currently examining 'the right age to begin teaching what the key messages are and content that young people should receive at each key stage'. They have pre-empted publication of their final report later this month and publicly announced their recommendation for statutory sex education from primary school onwards. This would bring sex and relationship education on to the curriculum alongside other compulsory subjects such as maths and English. Brook chief executive Simon Blake said: 'All the evidence shows that if you start sex and relationships education early - before children start puberty, before they feel sexual attraction - they start having sex later. They are much more likely to use contraception and practise safe sex.'

Anna Martinez, head of the Sex Education Forum, confirmed they are recommending making PSHE statutory to give it 'the high status it deserves as an essential part of all children's education'.

What's in your lunchbox?

Under a new Government strategy, all schools will be expected to design a 'healthy lunchbox policy' on what makes a nutritional packed lunch over the next year. Some parents may even be asked to sign a form agreeing to ban unhealthy foods from their children's lunches.

If a packed lunch is deemed to contain too much fat and sugar, parents could be sent warning letters or their children's meals confiscated.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson and Schools Secretary Ed Balls praised a Herfordshire school which has designed lunchbox meny ideas for parents, including falafel and houmous pitta bread with a tomato and avocado salad, followed by fruit yoghurt.

Whilst this is a great idea in theory, could it work in practice?

Beer goggles

Children as young as 10 are being targeted in a growing number of anti-drinking campaigns. In one scheme the children try on specially designed glasses which allow wearers to experience the dizzy effects of drunkenness.

Year 5 and 6 pupils at Hook Primary School at Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, are taught about the health implications of binge drinking. Last year, pupils of the school produced a play portraying the embarrassing effects of drunkenness at a school disco which was performed at primaries throughout the county.

Research in 2007 revealed that a tenth of pupils aged 10 and 11 had drunk alcohol in the previous week.

The scheme was funded by Mentor UK, a charity working to educate pupils about implications of drug and alcohol misuse.

Climate Cops

Although I currently despise NPower because they have raised their prices for gas and electricity massively, I am impressed with the educational resources they have published, called, "Climate Cops".

The Climate Cops try to teach the children about saving energy and climate change. A fun website with an important theme.

There is also a site for adults with energy saving tips.

Spuds You'll Like

Primary schools are being encouraged to pant their own potatoes next term, as part of a national project. To mark the international year of the potato in 2008, the British Potato Council is asking pupils to chip in and grow their own. All schools that register before February 8th will be given free seed potatos and a £5 voucher towards compost. The council has compiled a range of online education resources.The school that grows the most potatoes will be given a digital camera.

Learn With Dogs

The Learn With Dogs website is a very child-friendly website with lots of advice for caring for dogs and also ideas for fundraising for the Dogs Trust.

SEAL

In the last few weeks we are trialling SEAL - Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning. We are paying particular attention to the changes unit.

It just seems to me that it will be really hard to do this justice in such a busy curriculum. We have allocated a 25 minute slot to do this. How do others fit it in?

25 May 2007 is Fruity Friday

World Cancer Research Fund is organising Fruity Friday on 25th May 2007. The day is a fundraising and awareness day to promote the importance of a healthy 5-a-day diet and lifestyle in the fight to prevent cancer.

The Fruity Friday website has teaching resources, posters and other ideas to help you plan your own Fruity Friday.

NUT accuses supermarkets of exploiting children

The NUT claims that supermarkets and shops are commercialising and sexualising children.

The union has released a charter called 'Growing Up in a Material World' in which it is claimed that children were being deliberately targeted by advertising, sponsorship and 'viral marketing campaigns'.
Speaking as the NUT's annual conference in Harrogate got under way, general secretary Steve Sinnott said, "Youngsters are the target of advertising, of sponsorship, of messages that are so unhelpful that they can damage children's well-being. We are letting our youngsters down. Why did supermarkets produce vouchers? It's not to ensure that our youngsters are IT literate it's to raise the profile of supermarkets."
"Look at the school gate," he said. "There's a big banner. The school looks as if it is identifying itself with Sainsbury's."

At this point I have to say, "Well dur..." It's not like this is anything new. Supermarkets and other shops have always tried to exploit children. I can always remember the adverts for toys that I just had to have. I can remember the collectable coins that you'd get from the garage when you bought petrol. I can remember wandering round the Cheshire Show being given free balloons and hats from banks. All this is aimed at getting children and their parents to spend their money.

These days, society is criticised for not encouraging healthy lifestyles. Surely, Sainsbury's has made a real difference to this by running their Active Kids promotion! Computers are becoming a necessity in life, and so to ensure that children are having access to computers at school. Tesco's Computers for School promotion is really helping with this. For minimal effort on our part we are able to acquire essential equipment for school. Of course the supermarkets will profit. They aren't daft! But neither are children. I don't believe that having a banner outside school saying Sainsburys is going to damage a child.

One thing I do agree with is when Mr Sinnott told journalists that one of the most disturbing aspects of the whole issue was the inappropriate sexualisation of pre-pubescent youngsters. I don't thing the blame rests entirely on supermarkets and shops selling inappropriate underwear for young girls. You only have to watch the music channels on TV to see the role models that children follow. Switch on a soap opera and you see young children trying alcohol, skiving school or having boyfriends/ girlfriends. Go to a children's birthday party, and see their parents stood around having a beer. Children are being encouraged to grow up faster because of everything they see.

In November the Life Education Caravan visited our school. In the caravan the children learn all about drugs and alcohol and encourage them to make the right decisions. The instructor told the staff that she does not tell children not to do these things - it's their choice! I can't believe the stupid attitude schools take towards drugs, alcohol and sex. Schools teach them about these things, but we don't teach them to not do these things! What is wrong with teaching children not to take drugs?

BBC

The Guardian

DirectgovKids

DirectgovKids is a fun and engaging way to teach pupils aged 5 to 11 about democracy. At the wesbite, children can find out about the role of Government, its various departments and its functions.
The site is designed to look like a revolving globe, with interactive buildings that children can investigate including: a Town Hall, a Police Station, a School and a Health Centre. There is an area in which pupils can vote about issues which might affect them.

Gay Fairytales

According to the Daily Mail 12-Mar-2007,

"Schools are teaching children as young as four about same-sex relationships to comply with new gay rights lawsss... They are introducing youngsters to homosexuality using a series of story books in preparation for when the contoversial regulations come into force next month... Fourteen primary schools across the country are taking part in a £600,000 Government-funded research project, aimed at familiaising children with gay and lesbian relationships.

Critics say the repeal of Section 28 - the law banning the promotion of homosexuality in schools - has increased the use of inappropriate teaching materials. Simon Calvert, spokesman for the Christian Institute, said: 'The predictions of those who said it would result in the active promotion of homosexuality in schools are coming true'."

Whilst I understand people being concerned about what children are being taught, I find it hard to comprehend people's ignorance in claiming that homosexuality is being promoted! In what way are story books promoting homosexuality?

In modern society, where children are being brought up by same-sex parents, all children need to be aware that same-sex families exist. Whilst some people might not approve, the fact is that children need to learn to tolerate what might not seem 'normal' to them.

Gripping Yarns

In school today, our Year Sixes enjoyed a presentation by Jane from Gripping Yarns. She gave a monologue about a girl whose behaviour became worse as she struggled to cope with problems at home and the move up into high school. The presentation was about how problems can be built up if they are not shared and she gave the children the message that there is always somebody to talk to if they aren't happy. The children really enjoyed the monologue and talk afterwards really helped them to feel comfortable. My only wish was that the presentation was given in June or July when the move up to high school is perhaps on their minds more.

She gave details of a website that looks good. Kooth.com is a bit like an online version of Childline where young people can discuss their problems with somebody anonymously.