Changing emotions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain that emotions might change during puberty and ways to get support, if required.
Key learning points
- Our brains are not fully developed until our 20s.
- Our brains change dramatically during our teenage years.
- Teenage brains are very sensitive to new emotions.
- The increase in hormones in teenage bodies changes teenage emotional responses.
Keywords
Emotion - a feeling such as happiness or sadness which can be caused by a situation, your body or the people who you are with
Hormones - chemicals in the body that act like messengers
Prefrontal cortex - part of the brain that develops in adolescence and is responsible for decision-making
Amygdala - part of the brain associated with emotional impulses, aggression and impulsive behaviour
Common misconception
Puberty is about changes to my body; it does not affect my brain.
Puberty doesn’t just affect your body—it also causes major changes in your brain. As your brain develops, areas like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex grow, which can impact your emotions, decision-making, and how you manage stress.
Teacher tip
Localised support and advice can be to the support slide towards the end of the slide deck.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to the correct definition.
Q2.What does it mean to feel secure?
Q3.True or false? Puberty is a time when the human body changes and grows.
Q4. is how well our mind is feeling.
Q5.Which of these is an example of self-care?
Q6.When saying no to peer pressure, it is important to say no ...
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their correct definitions.
Q2.True or false? The amygdala growing and developing can cause new and more intense emotions during puberty.
Q3.The hypothalamus begins puberty by releasing ...
Q4.True or false? Depression is a usual feeling during puberty, so there is no need to ask for help.
Q5.Where might someone get support when going through puberty?
To help you plan your 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Changing emotions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Changing emotions, 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 3 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Our changing bodies: How will my body change through puberty? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.