Computing · Year 1

Active learning ideas

Asking for Help Online

Active learning works for asking for help online because children need to practice the emotional response of reaching out in a safe space. Through role play and discussion, they connect feelings like 'wobbly' or 'scared' with concrete actions they can take immediately.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS1: Computing - Online Safety
• KS1: Computing - Digital Citizenship

• 15–25 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 20 min · Pairs

Role Play: The 'Wobbly' Feeling

Students practice a 3-step plan: 1. Close the lid/Turn off the screen. 2. Find a Trusted Adult. 3. Say, 'I saw something that made me feel wobbly.' They take turns being the child and the adult.

What should you do if you see something on screen that makes you feel upset or scared?

Facilitation Tip

During the 'Wobbly Feeling' role play, provide a scripted line for the adult to say, 'You did the right thing by telling me. I’m so glad you came to talk to someone you trust.'

What to look for

Show students a picture of a school playground. Ask: 'Who are the trusted adults you might see here if you needed help?' Then show a picture of a home. Ask: 'Who are the trusted adults you might see at home?' Record student responses.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Inquiry Circle
• 25 min · Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: The Trusted Adult Tree

Students draw a tree and, on each leaf, write or draw a person they can talk to if they are worried (e.g., Mum, Teacher, Grandma). They compare trees in small groups to see how many 'helpers' they have.

Who are the grown-ups you trust at school and at home?

Facilitation Tip

For the Trusted Adult Tree, use photos of real staff members so students connect names and faces immediately.

What to look for

Present students with three simple scenarios on cards: 1. Seeing a funny cat video. 2. Seeing a picture that makes you feel sad. 3. Seeing a message from someone you don't know. Ask students to hold up a green card if it's okay, and a red card if they should tell a trusted adult. Discuss why for each.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Think-Pair-Share
• 15 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: To Tell or Not to Tell?

The teacher gives 'What If' scenarios (e.g., 'A pop-up ad appears with a scary face'). Students discuss with a partner whether they should keep it a secret or tell someone, and why telling is always the better choice.

Why is it important to tell a grown-up straight away if something worries you online?

Facilitation Tip

In Think-Pair-Share, assign roles: 'teller' and 'listener,' and rotate so every child practices both sides of a conversation.

What to look for

Give each student a piece of paper. Ask them to draw one trusted adult at school and one at home. Below each drawing, they should write one word describing how they feel when they talk to that adult (e.g., 'safe', 'happy').

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers should model calm, nonjudgmental responses to every concern a child raises. Avoid phrases like 'Don’t worry about it' or 'We’ll deal with it later.' Research shows that immediate, supportive reactions build trust and encourage future help-seeking. Keep language simple and repeat key phrases like 'tell an adult' across all activities.

Successful learning looks like students confidently naming trusted adults, sharing what makes them feel uneasy online, and demonstrating the habit of telling an adult rather than trying to fix problems alone. They should respond to scenarios with clear understanding of when to act.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During the 'Wobbly Feeling' role play, watch for students saying they will get in trouble if they see something bad online.

  Prompt the adult character to respond with, 'I’m here to help you, not to tell you off. It’s always okay to come and talk to me about anything you see online.' Then restart the role play with this line included.

• During the 'Trusted Adult Tree' activity, watch for students saying they can just close the window and ignore upsetting content.

  Have the class add a speech bubble to their trees: 'Tell an adult if something makes you feel wobbly.' Place this bubble prominently on every branch.

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Methods used in this brief

• Role Play
• Inquiry Circle
• Think-Pair-Share