Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) · 5th Year · Growing and Changing · Summer Term

Emotional and Social Changes

Explore the new feelings, changing friendships, and desire for independence that are a normal part of growing up.

TL;DR:Let's explore the exciting, and sometimes confusing, journey of growing up. This topic helps pupils understand the new feelings and changing friendships they may be experiencing.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• SPHE Curriculum: Myself - Growing and changing

About This Topic

This topic, 'Emotional and Social Changes', is a cornerstone of the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum for 5th Class, aligning directly with the 'Myself' strand and the 'Growing and Changing' unit. In the Irish context, it is crucial to foster a safe, respectful, and confidential classroom atmosphere, as these conversations are fundamental to the Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) component of SPHE. Pupils at this age (typically 10-11) are on the cusp of significant developmental shifts, and this topic provides the language and frameworks to understand their internal experiences. The focus is on normalising the new and often confusing emotions that arise from hormonal changes, the natural evolution of peer relationships, and the growing desire for autonomy from family.

The lessons should empower pupils to recognise that their experiences are shared and valid. By exploring scenarios of changing friendships, they develop empathy and social problem-solving skills. Furthermore, a key objective is to reinforce the importance of help-seeking behaviours, specifically identifying and communicating with a 'trusted adult'. This builds a foundation of resilience and self-advocacy that will support them through adolescence. The content serves as a vital bridge, connecting earlier learning about feelings with future, more in-depth explorations of puberty and personal well-being in the senior cycle and into secondary school.

Key Questions

1. Explain how friendships might change during puberty.
2. Analyse the connection between hormonal changes and new emotions.
3. Justify the importance of talking to a trusted adult about feelings.

Learning Objectives

• Identify a range of new emotions associated with growing up.
• Describe how and why friendships might change over time.
• Explain the connection between physical changes (hormones) and emotional feelings.
• Justify the importance of communicating feelings to a trusted adult.
• Recognise that the desire for greater independence is a normal part of personal development.

Key Vocabulary

Puberty	The time in life when a person's body changes from a child's to an adult's.
Hormones	Chemical messengers in the body that control growth and other activities, and can affect emotions.
Independence	The ability to do things for yourself and make your own decisions.
Trusted Adult	A grown-up you can rely on and talk to about your feelings or problems, like a parent, guardian, teacher, or family member.
Mood Swings	Quick and often unexplained changes in your emotional state.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

If my friendships are changing, it means I've done something wrong or my friends don't like me anymore.

What to Teach Instead

Friendships naturally change as people grow and develop new interests. It's a normal part of life and doesn't mean anyone is at fault; sometimes you just grow in different directions.

Common Misconception

I am the only one who feels moody or gets upset for no reason.

What to Teach Instead

Feeling a mix of new or strong emotions is a very common experience for people your age. Hormonal changes during puberty can affect your mood, and it's something nearly everyone goes through.

Common Misconception

Wanting more independence means I don't love my family.

What to Teach Instead

Desiring more independence, like wanting to walk to the shops with friends or have more privacy, is a healthy and normal sign of growing up. It's about becoming your own person, not about rejecting your family.

Active Learning Ideas

Case Study Analysis

Friendship Scenarios Circle Time

Pupils sit in a circle and discuss short, age-appropriate scenarios about friendship challenges, such as a friend making new friends or a disagreement. They share ideas on how to handle the situation in a kind and respectful way.

20 min·Whole Class

Case Study Analysis

My Trusted Adult Network

Each pupil gets a worksheet with a circle in the middle for their name. They draw lines out to bubbles where they write or draw the trusted adults in their life they can talk to, like a parent, teacher, or older sibling.

15 min·Individual

Case Study Analysis

Emotion Rollercoaster Diary

Pupils write a short, anonymous diary entry from the perspective of a fictional character experiencing a 'rollercoaster' of emotions in one day. The class can then discuss why someone might feel happy, then annoyed, then sad, linking it to everyday events.

25 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Navigating disagreements or changing dynamics within a sports team or after-school club.
• Understanding why characters in books, TV shows, or films behave the way they do as they enter their teenage years.
• Building the confidence to speak to a teacher or family member when feeling worried or overwhelmed by schoolwork or social situations.
• Learning to negotiate for more responsibility at home, such as a later bedtime or more freedom with friends.
• Developing empathy for friends who may be going through similar emotional or social changes.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Observe pupil contributions during class discussions and circle time, noting their ability to empathise with others and articulate feelings.

Quick Check

Pupils complete a simple 'traffic light' self-reflection, indicating their confidence (red, amber, green) in identifying their feelings and knowing who to talk to.

Quick Check

Pupils write an 'agony aunt' letter and response. They write a short, anonymous letter about a friendship problem, and then receive a different anonymous letter to which they must write a supportive and helpful reply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I sometimes feel really happy and then suddenly really sad or angry?

This is very normal and often called a 'mood swing'. As you grow, your body produces more hormones, which are like chemical messengers. These can affect your brain and cause your emotions to change quickly, but it's a standard part of growing up.

What should I do if my best friend is spending all their time with a new friend?

It's okay to feel a bit left out or sad. You could try talking to your friend about how you feel, or you could suggest doing something the three of you can enjoy together. It's also a good time to make sure you have other friends and hobbies you enjoy too.

My parents still treat me like a little kid. How can I get more independence?

A great way to start is by showing them you are responsible. You can do this by completing your homework without being asked, helping around the house, and talking to them calmly about wanting to try new things, like managing your own pocket money or walking to a friend's house.