Helpful Online Resources
Online Resources for Important Conversations with Children and Young People
Article written by: Laura Pearson
Speaking to young people about relationships, feelings and sexual health is an important part of helping children grow into empathetic, caring, respectful and responsible adults. These topics are part of every school’s Curriculum for Excellence health and wellbeing goals.
A growing number of young people are receiving information about identity, sexual relationships, sexual health and behaviour within relationships from online sources, such as social media and influencers and these opinions are not always accurate or positive.
That's one of the reasons why Education Scotland and the Scottish Government supported local authorities and health boards across Scotland to develop the Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) resource. As they state on their website:
“It seems our children are exposed more and more to influences we would rather they were not, such as pressures relating to body image, the impact of negative behaviours on social media on their mental health, or the exposure to pornography. While this can feel overwhelming, if we present factual views of the world, based on respect and building the capacity of children and young people to understand what they see so they can decide for themselves to reject negative messages, then educators and parents and carers can help build resilience and positive values.”
This RSHP resource is used in schools but is also freely available for parents, carers and community leaders to view on the website www.rshp.scot It is hoped it might be used outside school by caregivers to support children and young people learn about important topics such as our bodies, privacy, friendships, bullying, staying safe online, feelings and safety, social media, sex, love and relationships.
Video: Why Does RSHP matter?
Being able to help young people learn about how they socialise and interact with others is vitally important to their happiness as well as their development and it’s never too early to start talking to our young people about relationships. For example, teaching about consent at a young age can be massively beneficial as the child ages. If the child learns to say no if they don’t want to be hugged or tickled and see adults around them respecting these boundaries, they learn that they can say no to any contact that makes them uncomfortable as they age. They’re also more likely to respect when another child says no to being tickled or hugged.
Video: What is the role of parents and carers within RSHP?
Talking about relationships in an age appropriate manner is an important part of parenting, but as any parent or carer knows, kids love questions and we might not always feel we have the answers.
That’s where the RSHP resource can be a great help. Information is organised into levels by five age ranges. These are:
● Early level - aimed at pre-school and P1
● First level - aimed at P2, P3 and P4
● Second level - aimed at P5, P6 and P7
● Third and fourth level - aimed at S1, S2 and S3
● Senior level - aimed at S4, S5 and S6
Within each age level are topic headings, which cover different issues and progress in depth and understanding about each issue as the levels increase. There are slides that might be used to teach a lesson in a classroom, as well as notes that will be helpful for starting conversations and answering questions.
In each level there is also a book list, giving suggestions for age appropriate books on a range of important topics. You’ll also find an excellent information leaflet about Learning at Home at the bottom of each level page, which gives a great summary of the key focus of each level.
Here’s a quick snapshot from the website’s FAQ section:
Relationships content “looks at friendships and getting along with others. It explores how we behave towards others both face-to-face as well as in our online relationships. Young people are encouraged to have aspirations for relationships that are respectful and kind. To help young people keep themselves safe their RSHP education also explores when relationships are unhealthy, with help to recognise signs of abuse or coercion. “
Sexual Health content “helps children to understand their body, from the names of parts of their body to understanding the changes that come with puberty. It is important that children learn about their bodies so there is no shame, so they have the words they need to talk about any worries, and so they understand that puberty is a natural process everyone goes through. By the later years of primary school children can be curious about what sex is and how babies are made and so this is explained in very straightforward terms”
Parenthood content “supports learning about parenthood by encouraging learning about what babies and children need for the best start in life and then as they grow. Young people of secondary school age are encouraged to reflect on being a parent and what kind of parent they would like to be, if that is something they choose.”
So if you have some spare time for scrolling, why not have a look at the RSHP website and see if you can pick up any tips for talking about the issues that are important for the young people in your life.
Example of slide from the ‘When I have a question or worry’ First Level learning
Example of slide from the ‘Friends & friendship: Part 2: Making and keeping friends’ Second Level learning