Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 11
Good parenting
I can describe the qualities and responsibilities of 'good enough' parenting.
- Year 11
Good parenting
I can describe the qualities and responsibilities of 'good enough' parenting.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Donald Winnicott developed the 'good enough' parenting theory in 1953.
- Winnicott argued that parenting just needs to be 'good enough'; it doesn't need to be perfect.
- 'Good enough' parenting involves connection, love, support, structure and guidance.
- Consistent boundaries help children feel secure.
- Parenting adapts to a child’s age and needs.
Keywords
Attunement - being aware of and responding to a child’s needs and emotions in a caring and understanding way
Emotional regulation - managing your own feelings and reactions, especially when feeling stressed, frustrated or overwhelmed
Consistency - when something is done in the same way, in a steady and regular pattern so things are reliable and fair
Boundary - an imaginary line separating what we will or won’t allow
Common misconception
Good parenting means never getting it wrong or apologising to children.
Parenting just needs to be 'good enough'. 'Good enough' parents and carers sometimes make mistakes. In these instances, they apologise and repair the relationship with their child.
To help you plan your year 11 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Good parenting, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Good parenting, 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 4 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Healthy relationships: What is good parenting? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each age group with the most appropriate way to handle bedtime.
consistent routine with story and comfort items
more independence with agreed guidelines about sleep needs
set time but allow some flexibility for homework/social activities
Q2.Clear rules help children feel more and confident.
Q3.What do you think is most important for a child's emotional development?
Q4.When a parent or carer makes a mistake, what is usually the best response?
Q5.Good parenting should as children grow older.
Q6.Match each parenting action with what it primarily shows.
shows understanding and responsiveness to needs
creates structure and predictability in daily life
provides emotional support and validation
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their definitions.
an imaginary line separating what we will or won’t allow
usually done in the same way so things are reliable and fair
the ability to cope with challenging situations
to make something whole and working again