Schools Carousel a Roaring Success

Last week we visited a primary school on a ‘schools carousel’ to talk to children about our jobs and to give them a chance to ask us any questions they may have. We were accompanied by a number of different representatives of businesses and public services, all interested in helping children find out information about their careers.

However, we were initially concerned about talking to children about death and dying and wanted to do so in an appropriate way. The response from the children was remarkable; they were open about the subject and actively engaged in a ‘name the animal skeleton’ quiz which they of course, found fascinating. They were extremely excited to write on our ‘bucket list’ postcards with chalk and discussed not only career aspirations but things that they would like to do in their lives, from deep sea diving to swimming with sharks!

 

Bucket List Postcard

 

Whilst many of the questions they asked regarded salary or length of working hours, there were a few fantastic questions such as ‘do you find your job emotional?’, which demonstrated that children are far more aware of issues surrounding death than adults often give them credit for.

As adults, we are reluctant to talk to children about the subject of death and dying, in an attempt to ‘protect’ them. However, this venture proved that children are resilient and do not approach these topics with the same taboo attitude that is ingrained in to adults in Western society. Of course it is always important when talking to children about death to adhere to appropriate conversation, but it should not be avoided and brushed under the carpet.  Through talking openly about death at a younger age it will ultimately make it more normal and lead to better awareness of end of life care options for people with terminal illnesses.

 

Death in Disney Films
Image from clubecandoca.com

 

Death can be a scary subject, but it happens to us all. Every day children see death and dying in Disney films, cartoons and video games, so we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it with them. For an interactive and light way to introduce the topic, why not head down to one of our events at the World Museum during Dying Matters Awareness Week, from the 12th – 18th May. There will be ‘Meet the Mummy’ sessions for both adults and children on Saturday the 17th at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm and a ‘Day of the Dead Drop In’ from 1-4pm on Sunday the 18th. It was inspiring to see one little girl in particular, frantically writing down the dates of these events; she will no doubt be asking her parents to take her there! And we hope to see you there too!

 

For more information on events we are hosting in Dying Matters Awareness Week, contact us at amy.king@mariecurie.org.uk or find us on Facebook and Twitter.