This article explores why the humanities are an essential element of a balanced and broadly based primary curriculum. While history, geography and religious education make important contributions, the humanities should be seen more broadly as the study of one's own and other cultures, and so including areas such as literature, philosophy and drama. Active ways of working, such as fieldwork, observation, interpretation and discussion, as vital elements of the education of the whole child as a critical global citizen, are emphasised. The need for young children to learn many different types of knowledge in enabling learning environments and for teachers to develop a range of pedagogical content knowledge is highlighted. The benefits of single-subject and interdisciplinary approaches are considered.