Activity 01
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.
Explain how friendships might change during puberty.
Facilitation TipUse a 'talking object' to ensure only one person speaks at a time and everyone gets a chance to contribute.
What to look forObserve pupil contributions during class discussions and circle time, noting their ability to empathise with others and articulate feelings.
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Activity 02
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.
Analyse the connection between hormonal changes and new emotions.
Facilitation TipEmphasise that a network can have many different people and it's great to have more than one person to turn to.
What to look forPupils complete a simple 'traffic light' self-reflection, indicating their confidence (red, amber, green) in identifying their feelings and knowing who to talk to.
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Activity 03
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.
Justify the importance of talking to a trusted adult about feelings.
Facilitation TipCollect the anonymous entries and read a few aloud to spark discussion and normalise mood swings.
What to look forPupils 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.
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Generate Complete Lesson→A few notes on teaching this unit
Begin by establishing clear ground rules for respectful discussion. Use relatable scenarios and anonymous activities to help pupils feel comfortable sharing. Consistently reinforce the idea that these changes are normal and experienced by everyone, which helps to reduce feelings of isolation.
By the end of this topic, pupils will be able to identify key emotional and social changes they are facing and know how to seek support from a trusted adult.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
If my friendships are changing, it means I've done something wrong or my friends don't like me anymore.
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.
I am the only one who feels moody or gets upset for no reason.
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.
Wanting more independence means I don't love my family.
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.
Methods used in this brief