Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 3

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Understand personal space
• Know what is safe and respectful
• Learn the 'No, Go, Tell' safety rule
• Identify trusted adults who can help

Lesson summary

This lesson focuses on a very important part of growing up: understanding and respecting our bodies and the bodies of others. In South Africa, our communities are built on the value of Ubuntu – showing humanity and respect towards others. This starts with respecting ourselves. We will learn about personal space, how to tell the difference between touches that are okay and touches that are not, and what to do if we ever feel unsafe. Learning these skills helps us build healthy relationships with family and friends and gives us the confidence to speak up for ourselves. This knowledge is a superpower that helps keep you safe and strong.

Lesson notes

This section contains the core ideas for our lesson. We will explore them together.

Concept 1: Your Body is Your Own Your body belongs to YOU. Nobody else has the right to control it or touch it in a way that makes you feel bad or uncomfortable. You are the boss of your body! This is a very important rule that applies to everyone, no matter if they are big or small, young or old.

Concept 2: Personal Space – My Invisible Bubble Imagine you are standing inside a big, invisible bubble. This bubble is your personal space. It’s the space right around your body. Why is it important? It gives you room to feel comfortable and safe. How does it work? We should not go into someone else’s personal space bubble without asking. For example, before you give your friend a hug, it is respectful to ask, “May I give you a hug?” If they say no, you must respect their choice. In the same way, other people should ask before they enter your bubble.

Example from South Africa: Think about waiting in a queue for a taxi or at the spaza shop. We stand a little bit apart from the person in front of us to give them their personal space. We don’t stand right up against them.

Concept 3: Good Touch vs. Bad Touch Touches are ways we connect with people, but not all touches are the same. It's important to know the difference.

Good Touch: A good touch is a touch that makes you feel happy, safe, loved, and respected.

Examples: A hug from your Gogo, a high-five from a teammate after a soccer game, a parent holding your hand to cross the road, a teacher giving you a pat on the back for good work.

Bad Touch: A bad touch is any touch that makes you feel scared, sad, angry, confused, or uncomfortable. It’s important to remember: A bad touch is NEVER your fault.

Examples: A pinch, a slap, a push, or anyone touching the private parts of your body.

The Underwear Rule: This is an easy way to remember which parts of your body are private. The parts of your body that are covered by your underwear are your private parts. No one should ask to see or touch your private parts, except maybe a doctor with your parents there to help you stay healthy. You should also never touch anyone else’s private parts.

Confusing Touch: Sometimes a touch might be confusing. You might not know if it's good or bad. It might be from someone you know and trust, but it still makes you feel strange inside. Any touch that makes you feel this way is a reason to talk to a trusted adult.

Concept 4: The Power to Say 'NO!' – The Safety Rule You have a powerful voice, and you have the right to use it! If someone tries to touch you in a way that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, you must use the three safety steps: No, Go, Tell. NO! - Say “NO!” in a loud, strong voice. Look the person in the eyes. You can also say, “Stop that!” or “Don’t touch me!” GO! - Run away from the person or situation as fast as you can. Get to a safe place. TELL! - Tell a trusted adult immediately what happened. Keep telling trusted adults until someone helps you.

Concept 5: Your Circle of Trust A trusted adult is a grown-up you can rely on to listen to you, believe you, and help you. It is important to have a few trusted adults in your life that you can talk to about anything, especially your feelings and your safety. Who can be in your Circle of Trust? Parents, grandparents, an aunt or uncle, a teacher, the school principal, a religious leader, or a police officer.

Activity: Think of 3 to 5 trusted adults in your life. You can even draw their faces in a circle on a piece of paper to remember who they are. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Lindiwe is playing at her friend’s house. Her friend's older brother says he wants to play a “secret tickling game” but tells her not to tell anyone. This makes Lindiwe feel worried in her tummy. What should Lindiwe do?

Solution 1: Lindiwe should use the 'No, Go, Tell' safety rule. No: She should say, “NO, I don’t want to play that game.” in a firm voice. Go: She should leave the room immediately and go home.

Tell: As soon as she gets home, she must tell her parent or another trusted adult what happened. It is important to tell, even if someone tells you to keep a secret. Unsafe secrets should never be kept.

Question 2: Look at the list below. Which of these are 'Good Touches' and which are 'Bad Touches'? a) A high-five from a friend. b) Someone pinching your arm hard. c) Your dad hugging you goodnight. d) An older child trying to touch you under your shirt.

Solution 2: Good Touches: (a) and (c). A high-five is a friendly, happy touch. A hug from a parent is a caring and safe touch.

Bad Touches: (b) and (d). A pinch is meant to hurt and is not respectful. Anyone trying to touch you under your clothes is breaking the 'underwear rule' and this is a very serious bad touch.

Question 3: Sipho is at the park. A stranger offers him some sweets and asks for a hug. What is the safest thing for Sipho to do?