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

Types of relationships
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A relationship refers to the way we ‘connect’ with different people. Some are important and some not so much. Not all relationships are the same. We have relationships with our parents, relatives, friends, neighbours, people who work in our community, and others. Parents are a different kind of relationship than, say, the school bus driver you may see every day.

Relationships can last for a very short time, a few days, months, or a lifetime. They can be serious such as falling in love or just hanging out and having fun. Relationships can be anything from a casual hook-up to a long-term exclusive partnership. A relationship can be when two individuals feel comfortable in each other’s company and decide to spend time with each other, or it can be someone who regularly serves you at your local shop.

Human beings are social animals and relationships play a vital role in our life and growth. Having relationships are important for our health and happiness. Having relationships with other people is important because the connections we have with other people can make us feel safe and increase our self-esteem (thinking kindly about ourselves).

This lesson introduces Ally who is unique just like the rest of us. Ally is non gendered and purple in colour. Ally’s uniqueness allows for conversation about diversity and inclusion.

Know

What a relationship is.
Distinguish different types of relationships.

Understand

Some relationships are more significant than others.
Respectful and safe relationships.
Relationships with different people.

Do

Explore the different relationships they have.
Identify people within the community they trust.

Key Point

Connecting with your group – explain your role and purpose. Use this as a “lead-in” to the content taught in Ally. For Example, Social Workers might ask the group if they are aware of what a Social Worker does, eliciting answers such as “They help people”, leading to confirmation that Social Workers can help people be safe, and today with the help of Ally, will be learning about relationship safety.

Slide 01

This is Ally

Slide 02

Unlike you and me, Ally is purple

Extend and discuss

Differences make us interesting and unique. Exploring and respecting other people’s differences and connecting through similarities enables us to feel safe, to trust others and express ourselves. We can help people feel safe if we recognise differences and learn to respect and value everyone irrespective of their background.
Ask - What are ways we can be different?

Slide 03

Like you and me, Ally sees people every day.

explore

Relationships should always start with feeling respected and safe. We all have the right to feel safe all the time. Spending time with someone should be fun, enjoyable and something that makes me feel happy.

Extend and discuss

You will hear me say ‘we all have a right to feel safe all the time’ several times while talking to you as it is very important everyone knows and remembers this. Doesn’t matter where we are, what we are doing or who we are doing it with we all have a right to be feel safe.

Slide 04

Ally has all kinds of relationships.

slide 05

Some are family, some are friends, and some people Ally doesn’t know very well.

slide 06

Ally’s first relationships were with parents, siblings, and other family members.

slide 07

Ally formed other relationships with neighbours, at day care and school as Ally grew older.

Slide 08

Some are important, and some not as much.

Extend and discuss

Discuss different relationships, where they may occur, how long they may have known each other, do they still see these people etc

Activity

We have relationships with family and our friends. Who else might we have relationships with?

Extend and discuss

Some people may think we have a relationship with our phone as we spend a lot of time with them. What I will be talking about is relationships with people.