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Children’s School Lives Study: Report 7

Children’s School Lives Study: Report 7

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Junior and Senior Infants

The resources presented in this section are suggested for teaching Junior and Senior Infant pupils. These resources have been developed by state agencies or organisations with expertise in the area of SPHE/RSE. Each resource is also freely available to use in Irish primary school classrooms. 

The resources presented aim to provide a range of relevant materials to address the strands and strand units of RSE, as an aspect of SPHE. Each resource should be considered in respect to the particular needs and interests of children, their parents, the wider school community, and your school’s SPHE and RSE policies.

Please note that the Stay Safe Programme is listed for the relevant strand units to illustrate that it can be used to teach aspects of SPHE/RSE. However, unlike other resources presented, the Stay Safe programme is mandatory and must be taught in all school contexts.

Self-identity

 

Walk Tall - PDST (2016) 

The Walk Tall resource aims to give children the confidence, skills, attitudes and knowledge to make healthy choices in their lives. This resource was updated in 2016 and now provides a comprehensive set of lessons to teach SPHE. 

 

Junior Infant Manual Unit 1

This is Me!
No One Quite Like Me

 

Senior Infant Manual Unit 1 

Names I Have 

I Am, I Can, I Like

 

Picture book and story resources:

Picture books can support children to explore topics from a distance or through a fictional lens. Stories with diverse characters can be used to promote inclusion and celebrate diversity, develop understanding and empathy for others, and support the wellbeing of the children who identify with the characters or see their family members represented.  

 

Children’s Books for Wellbeing PDST (2020) 

The Children’s Books for Wellbeing document explores how picture books and novels may be used to support teaching and learning in SPHE. The book list section includes pictures books that address a wide variety of topics, including books that explore self-belief and self-confidence, gender expression and identity, celebrate uniqueness and diversity, and promote inclusion. Prior to considering a book for your class, please ensure it is suitable for the class level(s) you teach

Children’s Books for Wellbeing


Different Abilities – Children’s Books Ireland (2021)

Different Abilities is a book list with stories about accepting difference, respecting individuality and celebrating diversity. This resource recommends books that are suitable for children aged 0-18 years. Prior to considering a book for your class, please note the recommended age range and ensure it is suitable for the class level(s) you teach. 

Different Abilities Reading List 

 

BOLD GIRLS – Children’s Books Ireland (2018)

BOLD GIRLS is a themed reading guide which highlights strong female role models. It challenges stereotypes and shows female characters with agency, power and opinions. This resource recommends books that are suitable for children aged 0-18 years. Prior to considering a book for your class, please note the recommended age range and ensure it is suitable for the class level(s) you teach.  

BOLD GIRLS Reading Guide

BOLD GIRLS Resource Pack 

     Taking care of my body

 

Knowing about my body 

 

RSE Resource - Governmant of Ireland (1998)

The RSE resource provides a menu of options for classroom lessons from which teachers can choose to support aspects of SPHE. In particular, it can support the sensitive aspects of RSE.

My Body

 

Walk Tall - PDST (2016)

The Walk Tall resource aims to give children the confidence, skills, attitudes and knowledge to make healthy choices in their lives. This resource was updated in 2016 and now provides a comprehensive set of lessons to teach SPHE. 

 

Junior Infant Manual Unit 1

Look At Me Now

 

Senior Infant Manual Unit 4

Our Amazing Bodies

 

The Stay Safe Programme - Child Abuse Provention Programme (2016)

The Stay Safe Programme should be taught in its entirety over one school year with topics taught consecutively. The Stay Safe Programme is a personal safety skills programme for primary schools. The aim of the programme is to reduce vulnerability to child abuse and bullying through the provision of personal safety education for children and training for teachers, school management boards and parents.

Stay Safe Programme 

 

   Growing and changing 

 

As I grow I change

 

RSE Resource - Governmant of Ireland (1998)

The RSE resource provides a menu of options for classroom lessons from which teachers can choose to support aspects of SPHE. In particular, it can support the sensitive aspects of RSE.

I Grow

I Grow and Change

 

Birth and new life

 

RSE Resource - Governmant of Ireland (1998)

The RSE resource provides a menu of options for classroom lessons from which teachers can choose to support aspects of SPHE. In particular, it can support the sensitive aspects of RSE.

New Life

Caring for New Life

 

Feelings and emotions 

 

Walk Tall - PDST (2016)

The Walk Tall resource aims to give children the confidence, skills, attitudes and knowledge to make healthy choices in their lives. This resource was updated in 2016 and now provides a comprehensive set of lessons to teach SPHE. 

 

Junior Infants Manual Unit 5

Feeling Faces

Caring and Sharing 

 

The Right Start - Amnesty International (2006)

The Right Start resource is skills based providing a menu of activities to develop and build children’s experience of the building blocks of human rights. Its content is mapped across the Primary Curriculum including SPHE.

Empathy

 

Children’s Books for Wellbeing PDST (2020) 

The Children’s Books for Wellbeing document explores how picture books and novels may be used to support teaching and learning in SPHE. The book list section includes picture books that explore a range of feelings and emotions. Prior to considering a book for your class, please ensure it is suitable for the class level(s) you teach

Children’s Books for Wellbeing

 

The Stay Safe Programme - Child Abuse Provention Programme (2016)

The Stay Safe Programme should be taught in its entirety over one school year with topics taught consecutively. The Stay Safe Programme is a personal safety skills programme for primary schools. The aim of the programme is to reduce vulnerability to child abuse and bullying through the provision of personal safety education for children and training for teachers, school management boards and parents.

Stay Safe Programme

 

     Safety and Protection

 

SunSmart HSE (2022)

The SunSmart lesson plans and activity sheets were developed to support teachers to integrate sun protection education and behaviours into the classroom. 

Lesson Plans and Activity Sheets

 

The Stay Safe Programme - Child Abuse Provention Programme (2016)

The Stay Safe Programme should be taught in its entirety over one school year with topics taught consecutively. The Stay Safe Programme is a personal safety skills programme for primary schools. The aim of the programme is to reduce vulnerability to child abuse and bullying through the provision of personal safety education for children and training for teachers, school management boards and parents.

Stay Safe Programme

           Myself and my family

 

Walk Tall - PDST (2016)

The Walk Tall resource aims to give children the confidence, skills, attitudes and knowledge to make healthy choices in their lives. This resource was updated in 2016 and now provides a comprehensive set of lessons to teach SPHE. 

 

Junior Infant Manual Unit 1

My Important People 

 

Picture Book and Story Resources: 

Stories with diverse characters can be used to promote inclusion and celebrate diversity, develop understanding and empathy for others, and support the wellbeing of the children who identify with the characters or see their family members represented.  

 

Celebrating Families Reading List – Children's Books Ireland (2021)

The Celebrating Families Reading List includes books that celebrate all types of families. This resource recommends books that are suitable for children aged 0-18 years. Prior to considering a book for your class, please note the recommended age range and ensure it is suitable for the class level(s) you teach. 

Celebrating Families Reading List

 

     Myself and other people

 

Different Families Same Love Resource - INTO LGBT+ Teachers' Group

The Different Families Same Love resource aims to support teachers to effectively implement the Anti-Bullying Procedures, with strategies to address homophobic and transphobic bullying. The resource includes good practice guidelines for inclusive schools, advice on class-appropriate use of language, and lesson ideas for all classes in primary school.

Poster

Lesson ideas

 

Children’s Books for Wellbeing -  PDST (2020)

The Children’s Books for Wellbeing document explores how picture books and novels may be used to support teaching and learning in SPHE. The book list section includes picture books that explore friendship and bullying. Prior to considering a book for your class, please ensure it is suitable for the class level(s) you teach.

Children’s Books for Wellbeing

 

            Relating to others

 

The Right Start - Amnesty International (2006)

The Right Start resource is skills based providing a menu of activities to develop and build children’s experience of the building blocks of human rights. Its content is mapped across the Primary Curriculum including SPHE.

Listening Friends

Communicating Feelings

 

The Stay Safe Programme Child Abuse Prevention Programme (2016)

The Stay Safe Programme should be taught in its entirety over one school year with topics taught consecutively. The Stay Safe Programme is a personal safety skills programme for primary schools. The aim of the programme is to reduce vulnerability to child abuse and bullying through the provision of personal safety education for children and training for teachers, school management boards and parents.

Stay Safe Programme

      Developing citizenship

 

Walk Tall - PDST (2016)

The Walk Tall resource aims to give children the confidence, skills, attitudes and knowledge to make healthy choices in their lives. This resource was updated in 2016 and now provides a comprehensive set of lessons to teach SPHE. 

 

Senior Infant Manual Unit 6

Respecting Difference

 

The Right Start - Amnesty International (2006)

The Right Start resource is skills based providing a menu of activities to develop and build children’s experience of the building blocks of human rights. Its content is mapped across the Primary Curriculum inlcuding SPHE.

We All Belong

All Different All Equal

 

Picture Books and Story Resources: 

Picture books can support children to explore topics from a distance or through a fictional lens. Stories can be used to develop understanding and empathy for others, promote inclusion and celebrate diversity.

 

Children’s Books for Wellbeing -  PDST (2020)

The Children’s Books for Wellbeing document explores how picture books and novels may be used to support teaching and learning in SPHE. The book list section includes pictures books that address a wide variety of topics, including human rights, poverty, homelessness and refugees. Prior to considering a book for your class, please ensure it is suitable for the class level(s) you teach.

Children’s Books for Wellbeing

 

Together With Refugees Reading List – Children’s Books Ireland (2020)

The Together With Refugees Reading List encourages readers to see the world from the perspective of a refugee. This resource recommends books that are suitable for children aged 0-18 years. Prior to considering a book for your class, please note the recommended age range and ensure it is suitable for the class level(s) you teach. 

Together With Refugees Reading List

 

Different Abilities Reading List  – Children’s Books Ireland (2021)

Different Abilities is a book list with stories about accepting difference, respecting individuality and celebrating diversity. This resource recommends books that are suitable for children aged 0-18 years. Prior to considering a book for your class, please note the recommended age range and ensure it is suitable for the class level(s) you teach. 

Different Abilities Reading List

 

BOLD GIRLS Resources – Children’s Books Ireland (2018)

BOLD GIRLS is a themed reading guide which highlights strong female role models. It challenges stereotypes and shows female characters with agency, power and opinions. This resource recommends books that are suitable for children aged 0-18 years. Prior to considering a book for your class, please note the recommended age range and ensure it is suitable for the class level(s) you teach. 

BOLD GIRLS Reading Guide

BOLD GIRLS Resource Pack

 

               Media education

 

Walk Tall - PDST (2016)

The Walk Tall resource aims to give children the confidence, skills, attitudes and knowledge to make healthy choices in their lives. This resource was updated in 2016 and now provides a comprehensive set of lessons to teach SPHE. 

 

Senior Infant Manual Unit 6

Our Favourite Programmes

 

MediaWise: Media Literacy Resource - Safefood (2017)

The MediaWise interactive activities were designed to support children to make sense of the digital world and develop medial literacy skills. It aims to develops critical thinking skills and support children to navigate media, marketing and advertising.

What is the Media?

The Message and Emotion Behind the Media

Who is the target?

Media's Influence on Us

 

 

The Stay Safe Programme - Child Abuse Prevention Programme (2016)

The Stay Safe Programme should be taught in its entirety over one school year with topics taught consecutively. The Stay Safe Programme is a personal safety skills programme for primary schools. The aim of the programme is to reduce vulnerability to child abuse and bullying through the provision of personal safety education for children and training for teachers, school management boards and parents.

Stay Safe Programme

Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST)

Webwise 

Provides a wide variety of up-to-date internet sfaety resources, supports and information for parents/guardians 

Website

 

The Stay Safe Programme - Child Abuse Prevention Programme

The Stay Safe Programme should be taught in its entirety over one school year with topics taught consecutively. The Stay Safe Programme is a personal safety skills programme for primary schools. The aim of the programme is to reduce vulnerability to child abuse and bullying through the provision of personal safety education for children and training for teachers, school management boards and parents.

Parents Guide

Stay Safe Parents | PDST

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