ABSTRACT
Everyone who is involved with young children will appreciate how crucially important both the pre-school and primary stage of education can be. To give a child a sense of individuality, to value that individuality within the community and to instill within a child a purpose for his or her actions are essential parts of the educational process. In 1978 the National Primary Survey reported that in most schools geography was taught as part of topic or thematic work. Within a context of cultural diversity, the primary-school teacher is faced with several challenges in order to develop good quality geographical education within his or her classroom and within the school as a whole. In teaching their pupils then, teachers must give children the opportunity to explore their own values and attitudes and become aware of values and attitudes of others. In everyday-language, teachers need to be aware of the messages that they convey to the children.
