Primary Geography as Challenging, even Dangerous

Abstract

Primary geography is rather comfortable subject. It tends to avoid ‘unacceptable’, threatening and potentially dangerous geography topics. Considering challenge and ‘danger’ in primary geography is not so much about fieldwork dangers as about intellectually, emotionally and socially dangerous topics, locally and globally. The tendency is to teach what is acceptable and not to ruffle feathers, except perhaps ever so gently. The desire is to focus on the positive about the world, to be hopeful. But this may not always be wise. Four arguments for a comfortable approach in primary geography are outlined and challenged. The argument is that ‘playing safe’ in an unsafe world, for even younger children, keeps them uninformed and needs to be challenged. The desire to be positive must not undermine being realistic and honest with children, who are capable and resilient. To make a case for taking a more demanding, even ‘dangerous’, approach in primary geography, examples are given to indicate challenging geography topics which younger children can investigate. Inevitably, the emergent question is who geography is taught for. Essentially, the purpose of this article is to raise questions, to think more openly and to encourage reflection on the role of (geographical) education in today’s world