Where is the best place to teach consumer education in the curriculum?
There are many opportunities in both the primary and post-primary curriculum to:
- develop consumer knowledge, understanding and skills
- investigate consumer issues and topics
Some examples are outlined below.
Language and LiteracyCollecting and interpreting information | Mathematics and NumeracyShopping |
ScienceEnergy | GeographyResource use |
CitizenshipNeeds and wants | Enterprise EducationBuying and selling
|
Design and TechnologyDesigning consumer goods | Home EconomicsConsumer rights and responsibilities |
Business StudiesConsumer law | EconomicsMarkets and pricing |
How does consumer education fit into the revised Northern Ireland Curriculum?
Consumer education shares the underlying principles and values of the revised aim of the Northern Ireland Curriculum which is outlined below:
The Northern Ireland Curriculum aims to empower young people to achieve their potential and make informed and responsible decisions throughout their lives.
Consumer education is about developing a toolkit of knowledge, understanding and skills to empower young people to make informed and responsible consumer decisions.
The Proposals for Curriculum and Assessment at Key Stages 1 & 2 (CCEA, April 2002) and the Proposals for Curriculum and Assessment at Key Stage 3 (CCEA, 2003) give details of the knowledge, understanding and skills to be developed in the curriculum.
How can consumer education be promoted throughout the curriculum?
- The lesson plan section of this site includes examples of tried and tested lessons from across the curriculum for primary and post-primary schools. To view the lesson plans or to contribute a lesson plan to the site, click here.
- Use a consumer issue or topic as a vehicle for work in Numeracy and/or Literacy.
- The Primary Schools Poster Competition is a fun way to learn about consumer issues. Click here for more information.
- The Young Consumer Competition Newsletter provides an opportunity for Year 10 pupils in secondary and special schools to produce a consumer newsletter. The Young Consumer Competition Quiz is also popular option with many schools. The heats are held each Autumn and the final is held in March.Click here for more information.
- Think about organising an inter-disciplinary project with a consumer focus at Key Stage 3. Include a consumer issue in discussions at your School Council.
Why is consumer education relevant to all children and young people?
All children and young people are consumers. They handle money, interpret consumer information and make choices. They have the same basic consumer rights as adults and need opportunities to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to make informed and responsible consumer decisions throughout their lives.
Advertisers recognise the importance of young people's spending power. They target advertising and marketing messages at specific age groups, even the very young. Research shows that from as early as four years old, children can distinguish between different brands.
