Talking about tough topics is an important way in which educators and parents can help children to deal with life’s difficulties. It can strengthen children’s ability to think, solve problems and communicate, as well as helping to build their resilience.
Talking about tough topics also provides opportunities to explore why faith and values are important, and how they can help us in difficult times.
Life to the Full primary resources already help teachers and parents to have crucial and age-appropriate discussions with children, around such topics as privates being private, conflict resolution, different family set ups, types of abuse, and how to communicate about feelings.
To further help teachers of Life to the Full for primary schools, we have produced two new, differentiated resources for KS1, LKS2 and UKS2 on the themes of Death and Grief, and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Life Cycles - Death and Grief
We have produced a new session for KS1, LKS2 and UKS2 as part of Module 1, Unit 4: Life Cycles. Each Key Stage approaches the topic differently, but the core teaching of each is the same: death as the natural end of the human life cycle, framed within the Christian understanding of eternal life.
In an age appropriate way, the sessions help pupils to consider and communicate about death in a direct yet gentle way, and understand some of the feelings of grief experienced when a person dies.
These sessions do not require a Key Decision.
Session 1: Beginnings and Endings
The previous session in this unit considered how God created us to follow the human cycle of life, and we are loved by Him at every stage. This session builds on this foundation by introducing the beginning and ending points of the human life cycle: birth and death, the latter of which is the main focus of the session.
Go to Session
Session 2: A Time For Everything
The previous session in this unit explored birth and life before it; this session discusses death and life after it. Framed within the Christian understanding of eternal life, this session helps pupils to consider and communicate about death in a direct yet gentle way, reflect compassionately on the complexities of grief and consider ways to support themselves and others.
Go to Session
Session 3: Hope Beyond Death
Throughout the ‘Paradise Street’ series, pupils have seen Siobhan and her Dad navigating life following the death of their Mum/wife. A look back over their experiences is the springboard for this session’s discussion of death and grief. Framed within the Christian understanding of eternal life, this session helps pupils to consider and communicate about death in a direct yet gentle way, reflect compassionately on the complexities of grief and consider ways to support themselves and others.
Go to SessionFemale Genital Mutilation (FGM)
The duty to teach about FGM is not statutory for primary schools, so teaching about FGM is a new Key Decision #6 which requires consultation with the Life to the Full Programme Coordinator, parents/carers and governors.
Teaching content about FGM at each Key Stage is an optional part within sessions in Module 2, Unit 3: Keeping Safe. All teaching about FGM is framed within the core belief that our bodies are made by God and given to us as wonderful gifts that deserve the respect of ourselves and others.
Session 1: Physical Contact
This session incorporates (with kind permission) the PANTS resources from the NSPCC that teach children:
Go to Session
Session 2: Safe In My Body
This session follows on from the previous two internet safety sessions, by moving into the real world and considering what physical contact is appropriate and inappropriate. Children will be introduced to the term ‘abuse’ and discuss different kinds of abuse, including sexual abuse, here referred to as *‘abuse of private parts’. Children will be asked to think of trusted adults that they can talk to about any issues they may face. There is also an **optional section which briefly explores another kind of abuse of private parts: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Go to Session
Session 3: Types of Abuse
This session follows on from the previous two internet safety sessions, by moving into the real world and considering what physical contact is appropriate and inappropriate. Through 4 fictional stories, children will be introduced to the term ‘abuse’ and discuss the different kinds of abuse, including sexual (which in LKS2 was described as ‘abuse of private parts’). Children will be introduced to the concept of rights, and how abuse violates their rights. They will be asked to think of trusted adults that they can talk to about any issues they may face. There is also an optional* section to discuss the rights violation that is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Go to SessionGuidance Documents
For more information about these new resources see the links below to the updated version of the Programme Coordinator Manual, the new guidance documents on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Death and Grief below, which provide guidance on teaching content, and a summary of how Ten Ten supports Catholic primary schools in delivering this teaching throughout Life to the Full.
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