Pre-Christian and Christian Times
Pupils learn that children learned from their family and community before the arrival of formal schools. Links can be made here to places in the world today where there is still a strong emphasis still on leaning from your family and community rather than in school. The children might be encouraged to consider the benefits of this type of learning as well as some of the disadvantages.
Within the unit children are presented with some information from about Ireland in ancient times. An example is taken from 600 B.C. The custom of fosterage is also explored. The material shows where scholars studied in ancient Ireland by presenting information on the schools which existed for the education of judges in Brehon Law, as well as schools for bards and druids. They will find out that the main emphasis at this time was on memorization rather than writing and reading.