𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟳 ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴍᴇɴᴛ & ɢʀᴏᴡᴛʜ 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽

Year 7 students took part in a Social Emotional Learning lesson focused on understanding emotional changes during puberty, with an emphasis on respect, privacy, and limiting gossip. In single-gender groups facilitated by the school counselor and counselor intern, students explored common emotional experiences such as mood swings, sensitivity, embarrassment, anger, and the growing need for privacy through age-appropriate videos, guided discussions, and scenario-based activities.

Girls examined the difference between gossip and support and reflected on trusted adults they could turn to, while boys discussed how emotions can sometimes appear as humor or anger and practiced strategies for managing strong feelings respectfully. Across both sessions, key messages were reinforced: all emotions are normal, privacy protects dignity, and respecting others means making responsible choices about what we say and share.

The lesson strongly aligned with the EISB Social Emotional Curriculum, the IB Learner Profile, and ATL skills, helping students build self-awareness, empathy, communication, and responsible decision-making during an important stage of their development.