Private Body Parts

Learning Objectives

• WALT (We Are Learning To): Recognise which body parts are considered private.
• Success Criteria: Students can correctly identify the private areas of their body.
• Aligned to New Zealand Curriculum Refresh (Health & Physical Education Learning Area):
  • Level 1 Health & Physical Education: Personal Identity and Relationships strand (recognising self, bodies, and wellbeing).
  • Key Competencies: Managing self (understanding personal boundaries), Relating to others (respecting privacy and others’ boundaries) .

Lesson Information

• Age: Preschool (Year 0)
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Class Size: 10 students
• Unit: Understanding Our Bodies (Lesson 3 of 6)
• Teaching Context: Special needs setting, mostly autistic and sensory learners.

---

Lesson Plan

1. Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

• Use simple, bold, dyslexia-friendly text visuals showing a cartoon character (gender-neutral) with body parts highlighted.
• Explain (using simple clear sentences and gestures) what "private parts" are: “Private parts are parts of your body that you keep to yourself. Nobody else should touch them except you or trusted grown-ups like your doctor or parents.”
• Use a soft, calm voice and visual aids for clarity and comfort.

2. Story Time with Visual Aids (8 minutes)

• Read a short story or use a picture book specially designed for young children about private parts and body safety.
• Use large, colourful images pointing to private areas (like bottom, chest, and groin), with labels in big font.
• Pause frequently, ask individual students to point on themselves where private parts are.
• Repeat keywords: “private”, “special”, “safe”.

3. Interactive Activity: Naming Private Parts (7 minutes)

• Use simple dolls or cutouts to demonstrate and identify body parts.
• Play a “Simon Says” style game: “Simon says, point to your bottom” etc., emphasising private parts.
• Reinforce the concept of privacy and personal space gently.

4. Creating a ‘Privacy Chart’ (7 minutes)

• Provide pre-cut images of body parts and safe/unsafe touch symbols.
• Guide children to place pictures of private parts onto a large classroom chart titled "My Privacy Chart."
• Use clear, bold fonts and visuals.
• Allow students who finish early or are more advanced to draw or decorate private parts on paper.

5. Wrap-Up and Reflection (3 minutes)

• Recap with children what private parts are and why we keep them safe.
• Use simple affirmations: “My body is mine,” “I can say no if I feel unsure.”
• Offer a quiet reflection moment for sensory learners to sit with a fidget or comfort item.

---

Differentiation Strategies

• Use clear, simple language supported by visual aids and gestures.
• Repeat important words and concepts to reinforce learning.
• Use calm, slow speech, maintain consistent routines to reduce anxiety.
• Allow movement breaks or quiet zones for sensory regulation.
• Use doll or character models for tactile learners.
• Provide one-on-one support as needed for those who struggle to engage.

---

Extension Activity for Advanced Learners

• Invite advanced students to make their own mini “privacy chart” in their books with pictures and words.
• Encourage them to role-play scenes about respecting privacy boundaries.

---

Assessment

• Informal observation of students identifying private parts on themselves and on dolls.
• Listening to student responses during the “Simon Says” activity to check understanding.
• Review the completed class “privacy chart” with students confirming correct placement of images.

---

Resources Needed

• Dyslexia-friendly visuals and labels with bold text.
• Storybook or simple script on private parts.
• Dolls or anatomical cutouts with body parts.
• ‘Privacy chart’ large poster and pre-cut body part images.
• Art supplies for extension activity (optional).

---

Curriculum Links

1. Health & Physical Education Level 1 Personal identity and Relationships strand:
   • Understand basic body awareness and personal boundaries.
   • Recognise safe and unsafe touches.
2. Key Competencies:
   • Managing self through self-awareness of body and personal identity.
   • Relating to others through respect for privacy and boundaries.
3. Special Needs Considerations: Use multi-modal learning including visual, tactile, and verbal methods respecting sensory needs and cultural context .

---

This lesson plan supports a safe, respectful, and inclusive approach to teaching preschoolers about private body parts in a way that respects their developmental needs and neurodiversity.