Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 3

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Tell the difference between safe and unsafe situations.
• Know the difference between safe touch and unsafe touch.
• Use the 'No, Go, Tell' superpower.
• Understand why you should never keep unsafe secrets.
• Name at least three trusted adults in your life.

Lesson summary

This lesson focuses on a very important topic: Keeping Our Bodies Safe. In South Africa, it is vital that every child understands their right to be safe and feels empowered to protect themselves. This lesson moves beyond simply knowing about 'stranger danger' and teaches learners about personal boundaries, safe and unsafe situations, different types of touch, and the power they have to say "no". Understanding these concepts helps build confidence, resilience, and ensures that learners know exactly what to do and who to tell if they ever feel uncomfortable, scared, or unsafe. This knowledge is a superpower that helps keep them and their friends safe at home, at school, and in the community.

Lesson notes

What are 'Safe' and 'Unsafe' Situations? It is important to know when you are safe and when you might be in danger. Our feelings can often tell us!

A Safe Situation: This is a time or place where you feel happy, relaxed, and comfortable. Your 'tummy feelings' are calm. You are usually with people you know and trust.

Example: Playing soccer with your friends on the school field while the teacher on duty is watching.

Example: Reading a book with your Gogo (grandmother) at home.

An Unsafe Situation: This is a time or place where you feel scared, worried, confused, or uncomfortable. Your 'tummy feelings' might feel shaky or nervous. This is your body's way of telling you something is wrong.

Example: A stranger you don't know offers you sweets and asks you to get in their car. This is very unsafe.

Example: Playing near a busy road without an adult. Your Body Belongs to YOU! Your body is your own, and it is very special. No one is allowed to touch your body in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, and you have the right to say so. We have private parts on our bodies. A simple way to remember them is the 'Bathing Suit Rule': The parts of your body that are covered by a bathing suit are your private parts. Nobody should touch your private parts, except maybe a doctor with your parents there, or your parents helping you wash. Safe Touch vs. Unsafe Touch Not all touching is bad. We need touch to feel loved and happy. It's important to know the difference.

Safe Touch (Good Touch): This is touch that makes you feel cared for, happy, and respected. It is never a secret.

Example: A hug from your mom or dad when you are sad.

Example: A high-five from a teammate after scoring a goal.

Example: Holding your grandfather's hand when you cross the street.

Why it's safe: It makes you feel good and it is open, not secret.

Unsafe Touch (Bad Touch): This is any touch that makes you feel scared, sad, confused, or uncomfortable. It is NEVER your fault if you get an unsafe touch.

Example: Someone touching your private parts.

Example: A touch that you are told to keep as a 'secret' from your parents.

Example: A person forcing you to hug or kiss them when you don't want to.

Why it's unsafe: It makes you feel bad, it might be on your private parts, and it is often kept a secret. Remember, if someone says, "This is our little secret," and it makes you feel worried, it is an unsafe secret.

Your Superpower: The 'No, Go, Tell' Rule If you are ever in an unsafe situation or get an unsafe touch, you have a 3-step superpower to use immediately! Say "NO!": Use a loud, strong voice. You can shout, "NO! Stop that! I don't like it!" You have the right to say no to anyone, even if it is a family member or someone older than you. GO!: Run away from the person or situation as fast as you can. Get to a safe place where there are other people, especially trusted adults. TELL!: This is the most important step. You must tell a trusted adult what happened. A trusted adult is a grown-up who you know will listen, believe you, and help you. You should keep telling trusted adults until someone helps you. Who is a Trusted Adult? A trusted adult is a grown-up in your life who you trust to keep you safe.

At home: Parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, or uncles.

At school: Your teacher, the principal, the school counsellor.

In the community: A police officer, a doctor, a religious leader (like a pastor or imam). Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Zola is at the park with her older cousin, Ben. Ben says, "Let's play a secret game, but you must not tell anyone." The game involves touching that makes Zola feel worried and uncomfortable inside. What should Zola do?

Solution 1: Identify the problem: This is an unsafe situation and involves unsafe touch. The clues are that it's a 'secret' and it makes Zola feel worried and uncomfortable.

Apply the strategy: Zola should use her 'No, Go, Tell' superpower. No: She should say, "NO! I don't want to play this game!" Go: She should move away from Ben immediately and go to where other people are.

Tell: As soon as she gets home, she MUST tell a trusted adult, like her mom, dad, or gogo, exactly what happened. It is not a secret that should be kept.

Question 2: Look at this situation: A teacher gives a learner a 'sticker' on their hand for good work. The learner smiles. Is this a safe or unsafe touch? Why?

Solution 2: This is a safe touch.

Commentary: We know it's safe because it happens in an open place (the classroom), it is a reward for good work, and the learner's reaction (a smile) shows that it makes them feel happy and proud, not scared or uncomfortable.

Question 3: Lindiwe's mom has told her about trusted adults. Who should Lindiwe put on her list of trusted adults? Sort these people into 'Trusted Adult' and 'Not a Trusted Adult'.