Teaching the Holocaust is a pedagogical challenge that cannot be taken upon lightly by educators. Clearly, the needs of the teachers and students, as well as the subject matter and environment, have a strong impact on any educational outcome, and these four common places should be carefully assessed before teaching this complex and difficult chapter in history.

We believe that aspects of the Holocaust, or Shoah in Hebrew, be addressed with younger children on an age-appropriate level. The education of moral values begins in elementary school. During the formative years, pupils in younger grades often develop opinions and beliefs that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Some of the universal, moral lessons can be transmitted to young children in a sensitive manner if the teacher is emotionally ready and feels confident to carefully address the subject with their pupils.

Introducing the Holocaust with younger children requires that a teacher, who has an established relationship with the pupils, give them a sense of security. Parents and grandparents should also be involved in this educational experience, highlighting humane deeds and acts of kindness, as well as attempts to overcome obstacles in a time of evil and terror. This intergenerational dialogue should emphasize the ethical dilemmas and behavior of Righteous among the Nations and Jews who tried to help others even at risk to themselves and their loved ones. A Center for Family Education at Yad Vashem, currently in its planning stages, will provide didactic, tested guidelines and work closely with the generations who continue to grapple with the moral lessons of the Shoah.

This presentation will focus on the pedagogical questions surrounding teaching the Holocaust in younger grades, based upon practical experiences, with an emphasis on providing general guidelines.