Media literacy is becoming an essential part of primary education - but what does it actually mean, and how can schools approach it with confidence?

In this episode of Primary Focus, we explore one big question: What is media literacy and how do we prepare children

Drawing on classroom experience and curriculum expertise, this conversation breaks down what media literacy looks like in a primary context - and how it can be embedded meaningfully without adding to workload.

In this episode, we discuss:

• what media literacy means (beyond online safety)
• how children are engaging with content earlier than ever
• simple ways to build critical thinking in the classroom
• how it links across subjects like English, History and Science
• practical strategies teachers can use straight away

This episode is designed to support teachers and school leaders looking to build confident, thoughtful approaches to media literacy - helping children navigate the world around them with curiosity and care.

Featuring:

• Helen Mulley - Education Specialist and Communications Consultant
• Adam Sumner - Curriculum Designer at Kapow Primary
• Sarah Johnson - Senior Marketing Executive at Kapow Primary

🔔 Primary Focus is a podcast for primary teachers and school leaders. New episodes released fortnightly!

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Content in this video:

00:00 – Introduction

1:57 – Defining media literacy

04:17 – Media literacy within the National Curriculum

06:37 – Navigating the challenges of an unregulated online

landscape

09:49 – Identifying motivations: Algorithms, misinformation, and critical questioning

15:13 – Scaffolding media literacy skills

18:56 – Applying critical thinking to AI-generated content and historic media

24:02 – Practical classroom strategies

30:04 – Final summary - key to strong media literacy