Ages: 7-12

Lesson Objective:

A lesson on boundaries for children. Kids at this age have likely been taught about basic “stranger danger” ideas and their parents or guardians may have encouraged and open discussion; but can these kids name five trusted people, or at least three adults, that they can go to if they are in need or feel unsafe? More important, what is worth communicating to those trusted people?

Group Meeting:

Gather your group to the meeting area and have them take a seat.

• Introduce the lesson by explaining that you’ll be talking about boundaries and “who to go to when you need help.” 

• Ask your group to think about the times they’ve gone to their parents or guardians. What type of things do they turn to their loved ones for?

• Then say, “Often, adults in our lives will ask us to tell them if something is wrong, but also not to tattle. What is the difference between tattling and telling?”

• Help the group define those differences. Here are examples, but it also important to allow children to contribute:

1. 1. 1. Tattling is reporting a peer’s wrongdoing when the situation is safe and the people involved can handle it themselves.
      2. Telling is alerting adults that the situation is not safe and/or you need help managing the situation.
      3. Tattling to get a peer in trouble can be mean-spirited.
      4. Telling to protect a peer from harm is brave and shows concern for others.

• These are some important differences in conflicts to talk to adults about; however, if there is ever a situation that makes you uncomfortable or makes you feel unsafe at all, throw away these rules and tell someone.

• Ask the group the following questions:

1. 1. 1. What kind of boundaries do your parents set for you?
      2. Do you have any boundaries you’ve set for yourself? What made you decide to set boundaries?
      3. Is it smart to have boundaries? Even in our friendships?

• Explain to the group that setting and keeping boundaries is a skill that will be helpful not just when they are kids, but even into their adulthood. Whether it’s a stranger, someone at school, or a friend, setting boundaries is important. It keeps you safe and holds others accountable if you find yourself in a situation that is unsafe, uncomfortable, or too much to handle on your own.

• To transition to the activity, tell the group to consider the people they trust the most and can go to when things are tough or hard to handle.

Summary of Tasks/Activity:

 My Five

1. Pass out pieces of paper, writing utensils, and coloring utensils to everyone in your group.
2. Explain to the group that when we think about people we trust, it is good to have a rule of five, or a “my five.”
3. Have kids write their names on a piece of paper and title it “My Five.”
4. Have the kids trace one of their hands on a piece of paper. In the gaps between each finger, write the name of a person they trust. 
   1. Ask the children to think of at least 3 adults and up to 2 peers their age whom they can speak to if need be. 
5. Allow the children to decorate the page and color it in however they want.

Materials/Equipment:

• Paper
• Pencils
• Colored pencils
• Crayons
• Markers

Class 9 — Boundaries PDF Lesson Plan