Holocaust Education in the Primary School: some reflections on an emergent debate

Recent years have witnessed the beginnings of a debate over whether the Holocaust should be taught in primary schools. In this article the claims advanced in favour of the proposal are shown to be plausible but lacking in empirical support, while the counter-claims are considered either peripheral, contentious or contrary to established research. It is argued that some key omissions in the debate, such as the way primary school pupils conceptualise Jewish culture and identity, significantly strengthen the case against introducing young children to the Holocaust.