Understanding peer pressure
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why peer pressure is so powerful and describe ways we can say 'no' to our friends.
Key learning points
- We all have different motivations.
- Many of us would like to be popular among our friends, which can make it difficult it we experience peer pressure.
- We sometimes want to please our friends, even when it makes us feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
- It can be hard to say 'no' to friends, particularly for young people.
- Trusted adults can help with issues around peer pressure and we can practise saying 'no' firmly and clearly.
Keywords
Motivation - the reason why someone does something
Popular - how liked or admired someone is
Peer pressure - when someone tries to persuade or force someone else to do something
Common misconception
Being popular is more important than being safe.
Whilst it can feel good to be popular, our safety and feeling comfortable is more important. Good friends will never pressure us to do something unsafe.
Teacher tip
Friendship issues are often contextual, so make sure that you include scenarios and examples of peer pressure that are most relevant to your setting.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words with their correct definition.
expectations to follow that can keep us safe
feeling anxious, worried or unable to relax
an imaginary line separating what we will and won't allow
doing or saying something that is not ok
Q2.Someone we know offline who makes us feel safe and can help us is called a trusted ...
Q3.What is a red flag?
Q4.Which statements are true?
Q5.Laura wants a hug, but her friend Aisha does not like hugs. What could Laura do?
Q6.Getting permission to touch someone is called getting ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words with their definition.
the reason why someone does something
how liked or admired someone is
when someone tries to persuade or force someone else to do something
Q2.Which statements are true?
Q3.It can be hard to say no to friends, particularly for people.
Q4.What can we do if we are experiencing peer pressure?
Q5.Match the start of each sentence with how it should end.
even when it makes us uncomfortable.
being thought of as ‘cool’ or ‘fun’.
any time, but especially if we feel unsafe.
might make things sound safer than they really are.
Q6.Match the motivation to the example.
choosing a job that pays well even if we don't like it
choosing to become a team captain in PE
learning jokes because we enjoy making our friends laugh
choosing to read books about interesting topics in our free time
To help you plan your 5 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Understanding peer pressure, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Understanding peer pressure, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Power in relationships: How do I get help if I don't feel safe? unit, dive into the full primary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.