Learning for Living uses a unique teaching method to help the children develop positive relationships in the class and school so that every child feels included and can develop their self-confidence and resilience. We hear a lot nowadays about children becoming lonely, isolated, anxious and unable to cope. Learning for Living aims at helping to prevent such problems.

This is how it works

The children begin by getting to know each other better. Firstly they work in pairs, sitting so that they can look at and listen to each other properly, and take turns talking. They use a planned agenda to ask each other questions. These clear steps help them to gradually build their discussion skills and they give every child the confidence to join in and learn to form and express their opinions. The children also do small trust activities to build support between them. They are taught to reflect on their experiences and draw out the key values that will guide them. They learn to work in threes and fours and then in small groups, of five or six, sometimes called support groups. In these groups a leader is appointed to help the group work together and every child will have this opportunity – they will first talk about what they have to do as the leader. The pairings and groupings change so that each child will work with every other child at some point, getting to know those they might not normally work or play with.

Building trust and support between the children through these activities and conversations gives them the confidence and skills to talk about themselves, their feelings, their health, safety and well-being and their relationships. Issues like how we treat other people, how they behave and work, how they learn to be responsible and share responsibilities, e.g family responsibilities, how they protect themselves and prevent bullying, can be discussed positively. The children are encouraged to set themselves goals to do better when appropriate.

The topics covered at each level allow the children to gradually build up their knowledge and understanding of important aspects of relationships and health and well-being. With some approaches to PSE there is a danger that children are given very clear messages on health and safety issues, and they know the ‘theory’ but they don’t have time or opportunity to discuss what these mean for them personally. Equally important is the opportunity to talk with their parents about the issues they have discussed at school. The topics covered across the scheme are given below.

Learning for Living is a PSE scheme for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 covering:

• Relationships in Class
• Relationships in School
• Keeping Healthy and Safe
• Family Life
• Friendship