Government web-site launched for children

The government has launched a new web-site for children in order to help them find out about the government, public services and the world around them.

DirectgovKids aims to get children from five to 11 engaged with some of the areas of government that have an impact on their lives and to help them learn and understand about the society they are growing up in.

The site is designed to look like a revolving globe, with interactive buildings that children can investigate including: a Town Hall, a police station and a school.

The site includes online activities and games, as well as animations and slideshows.

New areas will be added all the time, including a health centre, a school council voting activity and a special area, where children can have a 'virtual vote' on issues that affect them.

DirectGovKids can be used in the classroom, across the curriculum. It also has more specific applications for the teaching of Citizenship/PSHE for Key Stages 1 and 2. It is the only free resource of its type for schools.

Children can also access it from their home PC and there is also a dedicated area for parents, with activities and suggested places to go and see things to see.

Speaking at the launch of the web-site at St Edmund's Primary School in Tower Hamlets, which piloted the site, Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said: "DirectGovKids is not only a fantastic learning tool for children, it's great fun too. This is the first time children in the UK have been communicated with directly by government through an online site. Young citizens will be able to find out more about the world around them and how government shapes their day-to-day lives. The site will also give them more of a voice to children, allowing them to express their views on current and future policy."

The web-site can be accessed at: www.direct.gov.uk/kids.

(KMcA/JM)