Third and Fourth Class
The resources presented in this section are suggested for teaching 3rd and 4th class 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.
3rd Class Manual Unit 2
4th Class Manual Unit 1
Lift Off - Amnesty International (2003)
The Lift Off resource focuses on human rights issues. It explores rights and responsibilities and promotes appreciation for the uniqueness and diversity of human beings.
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.
Making decisions
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.
4th Class Unit 4
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.
Taking care of my body
| Knowing about my body |
Busy Bodies - HSE (2020)
The Busy Bodies resource was updated in 2020 with a new booklet. The resource provides useful and supportive information about the physical and emotional changes that children will experience during puberty, the basics of reproduction, and how young people can look after themselves as they grow up. Teachers can use the booklet to support preparation for teaching and learning while the resource can be shared with parents/guardians as a support and source of information for themselves and their child during puberty.
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.
3rd Class Manual Unit 7
4th Class Manual Unit 7
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.
Growing and changing
| As I grow I change |
RSE Resource - Government 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.
The Professional Development Service for Teachers, Health and Wellbeing - PDST
The PDST Health and Wellbeing Team have created this resource to support RSE.
| Birth and new life |
RSE Resource - Government 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.
The Gestation Period Resource - Adapted from the RSE Classroom Materials, Dr Seline Keating, SPHE Network
*Updated Gestation Period Dr Seline Keating SPHE Network
| 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.
3rd Class Manual Unit 3
Our Actions Affect the Feelings of Others
4th Class Manual Unit 3
Lift Off - Amnesty International (2003)
The Lift Off resource focuses on human rights issues. It explores rights and responsibilities and promotes appreciation for the uniqueness and diversity of human beings.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
4th Class Manual Unit 3
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 - 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.
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 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.
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.
4th Class Manual Unit 8
Lift Off - Amnesty International (2003)
The Lift Off resource focuses on human rights issues. It explores rights and responsibilities and promotes appreciation for the uniqueness and diversity of human beings.
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.
Media education
HTML Heroes - Webwise
The HTML Heros resource deals with the skills required to safely and effectively communicate online. You will need to read how to use this resource as it is fully interactive.
Privacy and Personal Information
Respectful Online Communication
MediaWise: Media Literacy Resource - Safefood (2017)
The interactive activities in this resource 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.
The Message and Emotion Behind the Media
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.
Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST)
Tips for parents on how to support teaching of RSE
Making the 'Big Talk' many small talks (HSE)
A resource to support parents have conversations with their children aged 8 to 12 about relationships and healthy sexuality development.
Making the 'Big Talk' many small talks
Busy Bodies (HSE)
The Busy Bodies resource was updated in 2020 with a new booklet. The resource provides useful and supportive information about the physical and emotional changes that children will experience during puberty, the basics of reproduction, and how young people can look after themselves as they grow up. Teachers can use the booklet to support preparation for teaching and learning while the resource can be shared with parents/guardians as a support and source of information for themselves and their child during puberty.
National Parents Council – Primary
NPC exists to ensure that all parents are supported and empowered to become effective partners in their children’s education.
NPCp runs workshops for parents on talking to your child about relationships and sex. Call 01 8874475 or 01 8874481 for more information. They also have a helpline number: 01 887 4477. You can visit their website here
BeLongTo parents (LGBTi support)
BeLonG To Youth Services is the national organisation supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) young people in Ireland.
Gendered.ie
An information resource for families of gender variant children and transgender young people in the Republic of Ireland.
Webwise
Provides a wide variety of up-to-date internet sfaety resources, supports and information for parents/guardians
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.