PSHE is a vital component of the modern school curriculum aimed at equipping students with essential life skills and knowledge. This comprehensive educational approach covers a wide range of topics to help students make informed decisions, lead healthy lives, and prepare for their futures. In this explainer, we’ll delve into the importance of PSHE, available resources, and more.
What Does PSHE Stand For?
PSHE stands for Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education. It is a school curriculum subject in England that helps children and young people stay healthy, safe and prepared for life – and work – in modern Britain. PSHE covers health and wellbeing, relationships and sex, careers and financial capability. Most elements of PSHE education are now compulsory in England.
Why PSHE Matters?
As a parent, you might wonder why PSHE is important for your child and how you can support their learning at home. Here are some reasons why PSHE matters and some tips on how to get involved.
- PSHE helps your child develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. It helps them cope with the challenges and opportunities of growing up in a complex and changing world.
- PSHE supports your child’s academic achievement by removing barriers to learning, such as stress, anxiety, bullying or low self-esteem. It also helps them develop essential skills for learning, such as critical thinking, communication and teamwork.
- PSHE prepares your child for their future by giving them the information and guidance they need to make informed choices about their education, career and finances. It also helps them develop positive attitudes and values that will enable them to contribute to society as responsible citizens.
- PSHE enables your child to learn about themselves and others in a safe and respectful environment. It covers topics such as relationships, sex, consent, diversity, equality, online safety and mental health. It also encourages your child to express their views and opinions, listen to others and respect different perspectives.
PSHE Education Topics
PSHE covers a range of relevant and important topics for your child’s development and well-being. Some of the topics covered in PSHE are:
Health and wellbeing
This includes physical health, mental health, emotional health, healthy lifestyles, personal hygiene, puberty, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, first aid and staying safe.
Relationships and sex
This includes families, friendships, romantic relationships, consent, sexual health, contraception, pregnancy, online safety, bullying, abuse and respect.
Careers and financial capability
This includes aspirations, choices, options, skills, employability, enterprise, money management, budgeting, saving and spending.
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How to Support Your Child’s PSHE Learning
As a parent, you play a vital role in supporting your child’s PSHE learning. Here are some ways you can help:
- Show an interest in what your child is learning at school and talk to them about it at home. Ask them what they think and feel about the topics they are studying, and share your own views and experiences.
- Provide your child with accurate and age-appropriate information on the topics they are curious about or concerned about. You can use reliable sources such as the NHS website, Childline or the PSHE Association website to find out more.
- Model positive behaviours and values that you want your child to learn, such as honesty, kindness, respect and resilience. Praise your child when they demonstrate these qualities and help them overcome any challenges they face.
- Encourage your child to express their views and opinions, listen to others and respect different perspectives. Help them develop critical thinking skills by asking them open-ended questions and challenging them to explain their reasoning.
- Support your child’s health and well-being by ensuring they have a balanced diet, regular exercise, enough sleep and time to relax. Help them cope with stress, anxiety or other emotions by talking to them, listening to them and seeking professional help if needed.
PSHE in Different Countries
Holistic education aims to prepare students for balanced and healthy lives. However, the programs that are equivalent to Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education vary across different countries.
In Australia, the equivalent program is called “Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education” (PDHPE), which focuses on personal and social development, health education, and physical education.
Similarly, in New Zealand, “Health and Physical Education” (HPE) covers personal health, physical well-being, mental health, and interpersonal skills. It empowers students with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about their well-being.
On the other hand, the United States doesn’t have a unified national program like PSHE. Instead, similar content is dispersed across different subjects such as health education, physical education, social studies, and character education. These subjects aim to empower students with essential life skills.
PSHE Free Resources
If you want to access PSHE free resources for your child, you can visit the following websites:
- The School Trip: They offer a wide range of free PSHE teaching resources, including lesson plans, educational videos, education packs, and more. You can filter the resources based on key stage suitability, subject, and topic. Visit their website here.
- Chalkface Project: They provide free PSHE worksheets that cover various topics such as sex education, anger management, self-awareness, drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, and more. These resources are suitable for Key Stage 3 (KS3) and Key Stage 4 (KS4). You can download the free PSHE worksheets and find out more here.
- The Economist Educational Foundation: They offer free resources for PSHE lessons that help students think critically in an age of fake news and tackle important stories in depth. These sessions are designed by teachers and are updated weekly. Explore their resources here.
- PSHE Association: They provide a wide range of resources and guidance for Key Stage 3 to 5 (KS3-5). Additionally, they organize regional PSHE seminars with face-to-face practical workshops and expert Q&A sessions. To access their resources and learn more about the seminars, visit their website here.
- Jigsaw PSHE: This website offers comprehensive and progressive lesson plans for children and young adults aged 3-16. The program aims to prepare them for life by helping them understand their own identity, build healthy relationships, and navigate the constantly changing world. The resources provided are well-structured and include lesson plans and teaching materials. You can find more information about Jigsaw PSHE on their official website here.
Final Words
PSHE education is a valuable subject that helps your child learn about themselves and the world around them. It equips them with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to succeed in life and work. By working with your child’s school, you can ensure they receive high-quality PSHE education supporting their development and well-being.
