Submitted by participants at LIFT OFF Schools' Forum March 08

CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE IDEAS & SAY WHAT THEY THINK

Learning Intention: To practice & develop skills to enable children to express opinions while respecting other people’s feelings.

Curriculum Links: English and SPHE mainly but could include Drama, Music, Visual Arts & Gaeilge.

English:     Oral language

SPHE:        Making decisions
                  Relating to others
                    Developing citizenship
                    Problem solving
                    Conflict resolution

Sample Activities

Right Start age range (4 – 7 years old)

1. Circle Time

2. Walk Tall Programme and Same & Different

3. Drama- role play

Lift Off age range (7 – 9 years old)

1. Establish a class council with a view to contributing to a school council

Me, You, Everyone age range (9 – 11 years old)

1. Group discussion, negotiation and problem solving exercise

2. To establish a student’s union in the school thereby giving children a voice in the day to day running of the school