Activity 01
Then and Now Photo Timeline
Pupils bring in a photograph of themselves as a baby or toddler. On a worksheet, they stick their 'then' photo and draw a 'now' picture, labelling at least three ways their body has changed, such as 'taller', 'more hair', or 'can run fast'.
Identify two ways your body has changed since you were a baby.
Facilitation TipEnsure you have spare magazines or drawing materials for any pupil who is unable to bring in a photo.
What to look forUse a 'Think-Pair-Share' activity where pupils discuss with a partner one way they have changed, other than getting taller. Listen to the discussions to gauge understanding.
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Activity 02
Super Skills Stations
Set up stations around the classroom with simple tasks like threading beads, writing a sentence, building a tower of blocks, and doing a star jump. Pupils rotate through the stations and reflect on which skills were difficult as a toddler but are easy now.
Explain why our bodies need to change as we get older.
Facilitation TipFrame the activity around celebrating new abilities rather than comparing skill levels between pupils.
What to look forPupils complete an 'All About Me' worksheet, drawing themselves as a baby and now, and writing three sentences describing key changes and new abilities.
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Activity 03
The Growing Tree
Create a large tree outline on a wall display. Each pupil writes one new skill they have learned as they have grown on a paper 'leaf' and adds it to the tree, creating a visual representation of collective development.
Compare the physical abilities of a child with those of an adult.
Facilitation TipEncourage a wide range of skills, from physical ones like cycling to social ones like sharing.
What to look forUse an exit ticket with two prompts: 'One thing I learned about my body changing is...' and 'One question I still have is...'.
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Generate Complete Lesson→A few notes on teaching this unit
Begin with personal and relatable examples, like baby photos, to make the concept of change tangible. Foster a safe and inclusive environment during discussions by using circle time and establishing ground rules for respectful listening. Consistently reinforce the message that everyone's body is on its own unique schedule. Keep the focus on celebrating new strengths and abilities that come with growing.
Following these activities, pupils will be able to confidently identify ways their own bodies have changed and view growth as a normal, positive part of everyone's life story.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Everyone grows at the same speed and should be the same size.
Everyone's body has its own unique timetable for growing. It is completely normal for friends of the same age to be different heights and sizes.
Growing only means getting taller.
Growing involves many changes, not just height. It also includes getting stronger, our brains developing to learn new things, and gaining new skills like reading and riding a bike.
The changes are finished once you are not a little kid anymore.
Our bodies continue to change throughout our childhood and teenage years. You will keep growing and changing until you are a young adult.
Methods used in this brief