Too Young to Notice: The Cultural and Political Awareness of 3-6 Year Olds in Northern Ireland

Abstract

This report presents the findings of a survey of a representative sample of 352 children aged 3 to 6 drawn from across Northern Ireland. It is the first report of its kind to provide a detailed insight into the cultural and political awareness of young children. The children were shown a range of objects and photographs representing some of the most common events and symbols associated with the Protestant and Catholic communities in the region and were asked what they knew about each one. The children’s responses were then coded and statistically analysed.