Education for Personal and Social Development in Context

In this chapter we shall outline some specific suggestions for classroom activities based on the use of the cartoon examples briefly described in Chapter 5 . These suggestions are based on our experience of using these materials in primary, secondary and special schools with children aged 9 to 14 years, and on the many helpful comments of teachers with an interest in this area of research and curriculum development. In Chapter 2 , we noted the appearance of other resources designed to support classroom activity in the general area of PSD. We very much welcome the opportunities these various packages create for linkage with the resources outlined in this book. The suggestions which follow will allow particular emphasis to be placed on interpersonal behaviour and relationships, aspects of the curriculum for PSD which we feel have been relatively overlooked. The activities are outlined in terms of their purposes, approximate intended age level of the children, suggested organisation (e.g. group or individual), materials required, and instructions for the children. The activities described also include, where appropriate, suggestions for further follow-up activity. Of course, as suggestions, the ‘instructions’ will lend themselves to adaptation as appropriate for local circumstances and according to the educational needs and abilities of particular groups of children. Such adaptations, as discussed in the following paragraphs, may be in terms of the selection of stimulus pictures, the use of captions, the precise focus of the task and/or the format of the responses expected from the children.