Age-appropriate and engaging consent education for students (Grades 3 – 6)
by Ingrid Laguna
Description
The session springboards off the new educational consent resource (book and digital platform) I have co-created with respectful relationships expert Vanessa Hamilton: Kit and Arlo Find a Way (Teaching Consent to 8 – 12-year-olds).
I share sections of the text with students and then use carefully crafted discussion prompts and learning activities to ignite student understanding and participation.
The text engages young readers through a carefully crafted story involving relatable and well-rounded characters in tricky scenarios in which they are required to navigate all manner of decision-making.
Entertaining and compelling as a standalone narrative and chapter book, Kit and Arlo’s secret weapon is that it contains all the complex components of consent and includes respectful relationships education in an age-appropriate format.
Consent needs to be taught to children as early as possible, for them to internalise valuable concepts relating to mutual respect, effective communication, and the positive experiences of play and engagement that can be had when there is clear and enthusiastic consent. These values can then be adapted in their interactions and relationships as they move into adolescence and then adulthood.
As a children’s author and teacher, I am familiar with the power of storytelling to engage students and enable them to internalise new understandings, increased empathy and improved emotional intelligence. All of these qualities are essential to shifting young people’s behaviours and attitudes relating to consent. Storytelling is a powerful tool for supporting them to internalise their understanding of a range of challenges and possible responses.
Kit and Arlo Find a Way is a vital resource for schools doing the essential work of empowering kids with decision-making skills that will carry through to their interactions and relationships later on in life.
Attending teachers will come away from this session equipped with the knowledge, confidence and resources to teach consent to students aged 8 – 12 years.
Key Topics:
I share sections of the text with students and then use carefully crafted discussion prompts and learning activities to ignite student understanding and participation.
The text engages young readers through a carefully crafted story involving relatable and well-rounded characters in tricky scenarios in which they are required to navigate all manner of decision-making.
Entertaining and compelling as a standalone narrative and chapter book, Kit and Arlo’s secret weapon is that it contains all the complex components of consent and includes respectful relationships education in an age-appropriate format.
Consent needs to be taught to children as early as possible, for them to internalise valuable concepts relating to mutual respect, effective communication, and the positive experiences of play and engagement that can be had when there is clear and enthusiastic consent. These values can then be adapted in their interactions and relationships as they move into adolescence and then adulthood.
As a children’s author and teacher, I am familiar with the power of storytelling to engage students and enable them to internalise new understandings, increased empathy and improved emotional intelligence. All of these qualities are essential to shifting young people’s behaviours and attitudes relating to consent. Storytelling is a powerful tool for supporting them to internalise their understanding of a range of challenges and possible responses.
Kit and Arlo Find a Way is a vital resource for schools doing the essential work of empowering kids with decision-making skills that will carry through to their interactions and relationships later on in life.
Attending teachers will come away from this session equipped with the knowledge, confidence and resources to teach consent to students aged 8 – 12 years.
Key Topics:
- body boundaries and safety
- verbal and non-verbal cues
- developing a sense of self, personal strength and self-determination
- understanding that the responsibly of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ should be shared
- understanding that shared activities should have enthusiastic, affirmative and ongoing consent
- having the courage to withdraw consent
- learning to have empathy for others
- managing disappointment when someone changes their mind
- how to be an upstander when someone is being harmed
- the keys to respectful relationships and better friendships.
Details
Audience
Grades 3-6 and their teachers
Duration
50-60 minutes
Requirements
Data Projector. I can bring my PC laptop or USB stick to connect to the school’s/organisations projector. This session can be delivered online via your preferred platform, or in person.