Making Healthy Choices in Relationships

1. Making Healthy Choices in Relationships Grade 6

2. Ground Rules • Giggling is OK • No names or specific examples of peers will be used in discussions. • Respect what others say • Understand others’ feelings • Discuss relationship topics responsibly outside the classroom • There are no dumb questions

3. What are some of the feelings that are experienced during puberty?

5. Self-concept • Normal to experience the changes of puberty • It’s a time when you start to develop your identity or “what makes me, me” – this is called self-concept • We all have strengths and parts of our personality that we like • We all have things we want to work on

6. Self-concept • Healthy relationships start with yourself • It’s good to see yourself in a positive way • Thinking positively about yourself can help with relating to others • This can contribute to healthy relationships

7. “Looking at Myself”Activity Write three words that people could use to describe you in a positive way Examples: trustworthy, honest, self-reliant, kind My favourite pastime when school is over is to ______________________.

8. Looking at Myself One thing you would like to change about yourself What is your best physical characteristic? Patience Smile Your strongest, positive personality trait? Intelligent Steph (friend) Who could you turn to if you needed help? Creative One characteristic that makes you feel proud

9. Stereotypes Let’s look further into some of the ways stereotypes affects our self-concept and how we see others. Definition of stereotype: A false or generalized conception of a group of people that results in the unconscious or conscious categorization of each member of that group without regard for individual differences Source: AODA

10. Imagine… You are travelling alone on a 20 hour plane ride. When you check in, you learn that the plane is almost full, but the service agent says you can choose your seatmate. Remember, this is a long flight, so choose wisely!

11. Why did you choose/ not choose the passenger? • What does the passenger look like, where does he/ she work, and where does he/ she live?

12. Stereotypes Stereotypes may be based on: • race • ancestry • place of origin • colour of skin • ethnic origin • religion • sex • gender identity • sexual orientation • ability

13. Stereotypes • Sometimes people can be treated negatively because of negative stereotypes • This can make people feel badly about themselves (affects self concept) • e.g. someone is bullied because of the colour of their skin or ethnic origin or religion • Can you identify any other factors?

14. Stereotypes What can be done to avoid stereotypes?

15. Relationships • How you view yourself and others affects the relationships you have • Throughout our lives, we are involved in many different kinds of relationships. • These include relationships with: • parents, siblings, relatives, friends, teachers and classmates • Healthy relationships can make us feel supported, cared for and happier

16. What are characteristics of a healthy relationship?

17. Respect • Honesty • Trust • Caring • Listening • Understanding • Accept differences • Share similar interests

18. What are characteristics of an unhealthy relationship?

19. JealousyPut downs/Being meanBlamingBeing bossySpreading rumours Lack of trust Feeling scared Controlling

20. Healthy Relationships • What considerations need to be made when making decisions about a relationship? • If there is concern talk to a trusted adult such as a teacher or parent/caregiver

21. Wrapping Up Remember: • Changes during puberty affect how you feel about yourself • Thinking positively about yourself can help develop healthy relationships • Be aware that negative stereotypes can affect your relationship with others • If you are having concerns about a friendship or relationship, talk to an adult you trust.