Monday, November 16, 2009

Children taught not to stamp on insects and to respect worms - Telegraph


Children taught not to stamp on insects and to respect worms - Telegraph:

"New curriculum guidance says the well-being of 'mini-beasts', including bees, ants and worms, should be taught in classes as part of primary school's 'animals and us' section of the citizenship curriculum.

By the age of seven, pupils will have learnt that 'not stamping on insects' is appropriate behaviour 'in areas where animals live'.

The guidance, drawn up by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, says children can learn good citizenship skills by learning about the wellfare of insects because 'other living things have needs and they have responsibilities to meet them'.

Rhiannon Pursall, a beetle expert at the Royal Entomological Society, welcomed the move, which is not compulsory."