What do I want my child to learn at school?

I don't usually get involved in politics as I don't know a lot about it and didn't even vote in the last election but after reading an article on what the politicians think our kids should be learning I think it's about time I paid politics a bit more attention. 

While some people may be shocked when I say that voting doesn't really bother me, I wouldn't be surprised if I was just one of a majority of people who don't bother to tick their ballot paper, but as a parent I have a duty to my child to make sure she is getting the best education and politics plays a big part in that. 

According to Cosmopolitan magazine:

'Labour has pushed for an amendment to the Children and Families Bill that would make sex and relationships education (covering issues such as domestic violence abuse) compulsory - but was defeated by the government. And it took a petition fronted by 17-year-old student Fahma Mohamed to persuade the Education Secretary that all students should learn about female genital mutilation.'

I was completely shocked that my daughter could be educated on these things when she is older. 

Domestic Abuse is a taboo which should be discussed, but I believe it should be discussed at the parents discretion along with female genital mutilation. 

These issues are incredibly sensitive and important but I don't think that a teacher is qualified to read from a textbook and educate our children on these issues. 

I don't think everything that goes on in the world needs to be discussed in a classroom and I believe discussing these topics could open up a can of worms, particularly with the issue of domestic abuse. 

I know my child is only 5, so at the moment my only concern is helping her write her name and her learning about the horrific things that happen in this world are a long way off but it got me thinking about what I do want her to learn about throughout her younger years at school? 

In an ideal world I would like her to learn about:

• Money and Debt

• The importance of having a positive body attitude, learning about diet and positive role models not just 'celebrities.'

• Real life experiences...not a week of work experience (the majority of cases in the company where our parents work.) I think one day a week throughout year 11 work experience should be compulsory.  

• Taking care of the community, for example beach cleans and volunteering. 

• A day in the life of...educational talks from professionals from all walks of life paramedics, doctors, scientists etc. 

• Making things and having sewing lessons as this seems to have been dropped from some schools. 

• A new language. The majority of schools no longer have learning a second language as a must by year 11.  

I agree with teaching children at home and in the classroom, we as parents can teach children about what we want them to know.

I'm  no expert but here are a few things that I do with my child to encourage her learning and educate her:

• What we did at the weekend diary to encourage her to write about what we have done. 

•Get a bucket and find 20 pebbles on the beach so she has to count them one by one until she has 20. 

• Copy letters and numbers. Scarlett loves being able to write her own name and is perfect for thank you cards. 

•Puzzles and games night. For 2 hours last night the TV was off and we played board games. She learnt counting, sharing and cheating! 

• 3 money pots saving, charity and pocket money to try and encourage saving and sharing. 

(We haven't decorated or filled them much yet!) 

• Read every night at bedtime, even if it's a really short book. 

All of the above are pretty innocent but maybe I should be thinking about more serious issues which I may need to discuss with her when she is older. 

I've said before I'm not running for 'Super Mum of the year' or anything, I just try to do my best and in doing that I think it's about time I educated myself more on politics because I want to have a say in what I want my child to learn. 

Don't you?