Growing and Changing
Children recognise the physical and emotional changes that happen as they grow older and take on new responsibilities.
TL;DR:The concept of 'Growing and Changing' helps 2nd Class students understand the continuity of their lives. They reflect on their journey from infancy to the present and look forward to the future. This topic covers physical growth, the acquisition of new skills, and the increasing level of responsibility they take on at home and in school. It aligns with the NCCA goal of helping children appreciate the human life cycle in a sensitive and age-appropriate way.
About This Topic
The concept of 'Growing and Changing' helps 2nd Class students understand the continuity of their lives. They reflect on their journey from infancy to the present and look forward to the future. This topic covers physical growth, the acquisition of new skills, and the increasing level of responsibility they take on at home and in school. It aligns with the NCCA goal of helping children appreciate the human life cycle in a sensitive and age-appropriate way.
Understanding growth helps children develop a 'growth mindset,' recognizing that challenges they face now are often things they will eventually master. This topic is particularly suited to collaborative investigations where students compare past and present versions of themselves. By physically mapping their progress, students gain a tangible sense of their own development and potential.
Key Questions
- How have I changed since I was a baby?
- What new things can I do now?
- How will I continue to grow?
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionGrowing up only means getting taller.
What to Teach Instead
Children often focus on physical height. Use station rotations to highlight emotional and intellectual growth, such as being able to wait your turn or understanding a difficult story.
Common MisconceptionOnce I learn something, I never have to practice it again.
What to Teach Instead
Students may think growth is a series of finished boxes. Peer discussion about 'hobbies' can show that even adults keep growing and improving their skills over many years.
Active Learning Ideas
See all activities→Inquiry Circle
Then and Now Timeline
Students bring in a baby photo and a current photo (or draw them). In small groups, they list three things they can do now that they couldn't do as babies, such as tying shoes or reading, and display them on a class timeline.
Think-Pair-Share
Future Me
Children close their eyes and imagine themselves in 5th Class. They share with a partner one new responsibility they think they will have then and one new skill they hope to have mastered, such as playing an instrument or a sport.
Stations Rotation
Growing Skills
Set up stations with tasks of varying difficulty (e.g., buttoning a coat, writing a complex word, solving a puzzle). Students try the tasks and discuss which ones they have 'grown into' and which ones they are still practicing.