Tiny People, Big Questions: LGBT+ Discussion with KS1

By Guest Blogger Hattie McLaughlin, Primary School Teacher

When I first read an LGBT+ themed book to a child, it was to a whole class… whilst I was still in teacher training… and in my first year... on my first week of placements. So, to say I threw myself in at the deep end would be an understatement.

I picked a book about a family with two mums and as I began reading it to the class of Year Twos, a sudden wave of anxiety took over. I didn’t know the children, therefore, how could I have anticipated what questions they might ask? Plus… my class teacher mentor was watching me too. Each page drew closer to the end of the story, closer to them asking questions. 

My brain was doing overtime… what if I crumble on the spot and don’t know how to answer their questions? Have I done enough research about this myself? What if a parent challenges me? Am I in the right space emotionally for that? WHY did I choose this book? I had dreamt of being an inclusive teacher and I finally had the chance to do that, but I was panicked and overwhelmed that the moment had finally arrived.

I remember looking around the room to gauge the children’s expressions. To my surprise, the children looked how you’d imagine every child looks when they’re being read a new picture book: engaged, then a little disengaged and staring out of the window, then engaged again, and - oh - now they’re picking their nose. 

‘The End’ arrived. The final page, now, time for their questions. AAhhh!

“I loved that story,” I said, “is there anything anyone would like to ask?” I’m here now, I thought, I may as well ask them if they have any questions! Hands shot up all around the carpet. 

“Miss, so there’s two Mums, but then there’s two people in the family with the same name, Mum and Mum. What if you’re calling one of them from the top of the stairs? How will they know which one you want?” 

The anxiety instantly left my body. How sweet that they arrived at this topic with curiosity rather than prejudice. I smiled to myself as I found so much humour in the innocence and intrigue behind their question. Everything I had feared could have happened, but it didn’t. I underestimated how lighthearted children can be. 

Other responses to LGBT+ themed books I’ve received from children that have also been sweet moments include: 

“So if there are two mums, then you get two mothers’ days!”

“I don’t have to marry a boy?”

“Are there two wedding dresses then?”

“But it has to be a girl and a boy getting married.” - “Anyone can marry whoever they want.” - “Oh, okay.”

Four years have passed since I read that LGBT+ themed book in my first year at uni, and I have learned a lot. Here is what I now know about reading LGBT+ texts to children in KS1: 

• Generally, you will be asked very sweet and humorous questions by the children (be prepared to hold back your giggles because we all know how funny children’s questions can be). 

• Although they’re usually innocently curious, occasionally children might challenge what you’re saying (I normally combat this by saying that I notice two Mums or two Dads out in public a lot, and that it is very normal). 

• Don’t fear discussing this topic with children, because their responses will surprise you (in a good way!). 

• Parents will ask questions too, but it’s not always negative (we all know that they just like to know what’s going on).

• I had to be fearless and ‘rip the band-aid off’ to realise that it wasn’t as challenging as I thought. 

• There is an array of teacher resources for you to ‘inclusify’ your practice, including all the great books and lesson plans, etc, from Pop’n’Olly.

• If anyone does challenge you, you have a variety of resources behind you for support.

We all know how funny children can be, that’s the greatest part of teaching. Use that to your advantage. If you’re nervous about introducing this topic to your class, give it a go, I did and I was amazed by their responses!