5-13

The lesson is intended for children in year grades 1-6.

30+

If done in detailed blocks, this lesson take 30 minutes.

all

The lesson can be done with large groups, small classes or individuals.

In this topic

Body Reacts
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S.A.F.E
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Recognising our emotions and learning to manage them is one of the most important skills we can have. We have emotions so we can make connections with the people around us and figure out what makes us feel good and what doesn’t. Learning about our emotions and how to manage them is important, people who are good at noticing how they feel and can adjust their behaviours are more likely to have safe and healthy relationships. Why this lesson is important - We need to recognise them 

When we experience emotions, our bodies have corresponding physical reactions that can be noticed by each of us internally, externally, and non-verbally. We may experience several physical reactions when we feel unsafe. These body reactions serve as indicators we are at risk or risk is increasing.

We can do this as the human body is cleverly wired with an internal surveillance system, pursuing safety while remaining alert for danger. This system alerts us to danger or threats to our safety. Some people call this warning system ‘intuition’ or ‘gut feeling’. By recognising, trusting, and following our instincts (gut feeling) we greatly increase our ability to stay safe. 

These body reactions have been named ‘Early warning signs’ communicating to us we are not feeling safe. Early warning signs can be applied to multiple situations and we need to them, slow down and proceed with caution. 

Some of us may have experienced traumatic events, or our bodies have sensory struggles which may interfere with us noticing our Early Warning signs.

Note It is important to note there may be situations where children experience personal emergencies, but do not feel early warning signs. An example is children who have been sexually abused from a early age and who identify abuse as normal behaviour. The grooming process used by offenders often involves building a trusting relationship with the child. Children may not experience early warning signs when they trust and feel safe with the offender, as they are often ignorant to the fact the offender’s behaviour is inappropriate and abusive. While this issue is acknowledged, an awareness of other safety concepts included in the program will assist children who may fall into this category, educating them about body ownership and rules about touching.

Know

How our bodies react when we feel different emotions. Recognise and connect with early warning signs when we feel unsafe. SAFE strategy and how to implement to address unsafe situations

Understand

Our bodies reactions can help us recognise risky or dangerous situations. SAFE and how to use the strategy  We keep telling till feeling safe. The different ways we can tell a trusted adult we are feeling unsafe.

Do

Recognise their own Early Warning Signs. Practise ways of telling a trusted adult we are unsafe. Describe strategies they would use in unsafe situations Explain and apply the SAFE strategy. How to seek help from a trusted adult if feeling unsafe. Say ‘No’ to potentially prevent uncomfortable touching from occurring.

Key Point

These body reactions have been named ‘Early warning signs’ communicating to us we are not feeling safe. Early warning signs can be applied to multiple situations and we need to them, slow down and proceed with caution. 

Slide 01

Ally was thinking about emotions.

Slide 02

Ally’s body will do different things when experiencing an emotion.

Slide 03

Watching a sad movie.

Slide 04

Ally’s eyes made tears.

Slide 05

Ally’s school bag fell, and the lunch box bounced onto the concrete.

Slide 06

Ally’s face went bright red because Ally was embarrassed.

slide 07

Ally’s Mum bought Ally a new bike.

slide 08

Ally was so happy! Ally couldn’t stop bouncing up and down.

Extend and discuss

Explain when we feel the emotion of happy, we can smile without even thinking about it or we may not be able to sit still we are so happy.

slide 09

Walking home from school Ally walked past a fence.

slide 10

A dog behind the fence barked loudly and surprised Ally.

slide 11

Ally froze. Ally’s heart was beating very fast and needed to go to the toilet.

explore

This is what our bodies can do to warn us when we are feeling unsafe.

Extend and discuss

Check for and consolidate prior learning. Has this group participated in a previous Protective Behaviours program? E.g., if the group has participated in the Braveheart’s program, ask if they remember what Ditto taught about Early Warning Signs.

Reinforce with students when we are feeling scared or unsafe our bodies can react in different ways. 
Our: 
Legs can shake. 
Heart can beat fast. 
Our tummy can feel like it has butterflies flying around.
Feet can become like bricks, and we can’t move 
Hands can sweat at lot 
Our skin can have bumps all over it. 
If we find ourselves feeling unsafe and we have early warning signs we need to go and tell someone as soon as we can.  

slide 12

Ally listened to these warning signs when a person Ally didn’t know came up close to Ally.

slide 13

This person was acting strange and looking at Ally in a weird way.

slide 13

This person was acting strange and looking at Ally in a weird way.

slide 14

Ally’s stomach felt funny, and Ally’s heart started to beat fast.

slide 15

Ally moved away finding safe people to be with.

slide 16

Ally’s warning signs disappeared and felt safe again.

explore

Everyone has Early Warning signs and listening to them will keep us safe.

slide 17

Which different Early Warning Signs can we experience?

Extend and discuss

People can feel different about the same situation and that is ok.  We can experience early warning signs in three situations.

When it is fun to feel scared e.g. watching a scary movie or going on a fast ride.
When it is not fun, but our choice and we are in control, e.g. delivering a class presentation, going to the dentist, getting a needle from the doctor.
When it is not fun, there is no choice or control This is a personal emergency. Personal emergencies may include being disrespected at school, lost, or abused.

Listening to our early warning signs is important as they can keep us safe. When we have early warning signs, we should follow the SAFE strategy.

Slide 01

Ally has learnt the SAFE strategy.

Slide 02

A strategy people can use if they find themselves in a situation that makes them feel unsafe or scared.

Slide 03

S = Say STOP (Explore) Text: Say STOP. tell the person or people they are to STOP say this loudly and if need keep saying STOP.

Slide 04

A = Get Away (Explore) Text: Get AWAY. Leave as soon as you can, go to a safe place this might be your home, a shop, or your classroom.

Slide 05

F = FIND a safe adult (Explore) Text:  FIND a safe adult. This could be a teacher, sports coach, parents, or family member, maybe someone in a uniform like a policeman or a person who works a supermarket.

Extend and discuss

Ask What happens if the person who’s not respecting your personal boundaries is an adult or older teenager?

If students don’t say it – say “find another adult’. You have the right to feel safe – so if an adult or older teenager is not respecting your boundary, you find a trusted adult or older teenager you know well and trust and tell that person.

Slide 06

Text: E = EXPLAIN what happened (Explore) Text:  EXPLAIN what happened. Tell a safe person what has happened. If it’s too hard to talk draw a picture or write a note. If you have a phone, call your safe person or text.

Extend and discuss

Why it may be difficult to talk about what has happened. It may be easier to draw a picture or write a note. It may be difficult if the person is family, or a friend or think we may get into trouble. But remember We all have the right to feel safe all the time.

Slide 07

Text: Ally knows to keep telling until feeling safe and early warning signs aren’t there anymore.

activity

What action can we take if we experience early warning signs?

Extend and discuss

Different ways to communicate if we are feeling unsafe: Yell out Talk to a trusted adult Draw a picture (sometimes it can be had to talk about what has happened)  Write a note Ring or text like Ally who had a phone Use a computer to email or message someone.