Important People

Overview

This 30-minute session is designed for Year 2 pupils to begin their journey in the PSHE unit "Building Positive Relationships." Students will explore and recognise the important people in their lives, focusing on family and friends. By creating a personalised mind map or drawing, pupils will articulate why these individuals matter to them, aligning with the PSHE Association's Programme of Study for Key Stage 1 focusing on relationships and self-awareness.

Curriculum Links

PSHE Association Programme of Study (KS1)

Develop positive relationships with family and friends
Recognise and respect the people who are important to them
Express feelings and understand the feelings of others

Relationships Education, England (Statutory from 2020)

How to recognise respectful relationships and the people who care for them
Identifying who can support them with healthy relationships

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

Identify key people (family and friends) who are important in their lives
Understand why these relationships matter to their wellbeing
Express their thoughts through a visual mind map or drawing
Listen and share respectfully in a small group setting

Resources

Large plain A3 paper or whiteboards per pupil
Coloured pencils, felt tip pens, crayons
Photographs or props (optional) representing family and friends
Soft ball or ‘talking object’ for turn-taking
Visual emotions cards to support expressive language (happy, caring, safe, etc.)

Lesson Structure

1. Warm-up (5 mins): “Circle of Trust”

Arrange pupils in a circle.
Teacher explains: "Today we will think about people who make us feel safe, happy and loved."
Using a soft ball, pupils take turns saying one word about a person who is important to them (e.g., Mum, Friend, Sister).
Emphasise listening skills and taking turns.

2. Introduction (5 mins): Talking about Important People

Teacher shows simple images or props (e.g., family photos, friend group pictures) to prompt discussion.
Questions to ask: “Who do you feel happy with?”, “Who helps or looks after you?”, “Why do these people matter to you?”
Use visual emotion cards to link feelings with relationships (e.g., happy when playing with a friend).
Encourage pupils to give examples from their own lives.

3. Main Activity (15 mins): Create Your “Important People” Mind Map

Each pupil receives a large piece of paper and colouring materials.
Teacher models a simple mind map: write pupil’s name in the centre, draw branches to family and friends’ names or pictures.
Pupils draw or write names of important people, adding one or two reasons why they matter (e.g., “Grandad helps me build Lego”, “Friend shares toys”).
Encourage creativity—can be drawings, words, or a mix.
Teacher circulates, prompts thinking, and supports struggling pupils with sentence starters (e.g., “I love... because...”).

4. Sharing & Reflection (5 mins): Gallery Walk and Talk

Pupils display their mind maps around the room.
In pairs or small groups, pupils take turns to talk about one person from their mind map using the ‘talking object’.
Teacher facilitates positive feedback: “I liked how you said your friend makes you smile.”
Conclude by reinforcing that everyone has special people who help them feel safe and happy.

Differentiation

For pupils with additional needs, provide visual prompts, name labels, or a partially completed mind map template.
For more able pupils, encourage inclusion of friends beyond immediate family, such as teachers, neighbours, or pets (to discuss emotional support).
Use differentiated questioning depth to extend vocabulary and emotional expression.

Assessment Opportunities

Observe pupils’ ability to name important people and provide simple reasons why they matter.
Listen for use of emotional language when discussing relationships.
Check participation in sharing and turn-taking activities for social skills development.

Extension Ideas

Send a simple “Who is Important to Me?” worksheet or drawing to complete at home with family members.
Create a classroom “Friendship Tree” where each pupil adds leaves with names of important people throughout the unit.
Use role-play scenarios in later lessons to practise showing kindness and respect to those important to them.

Reflection for Teacher

Did all pupils engage comfortably in sharing their thoughts?
Which aspects of relationships did pupils seem to understand most?
Note any pupils who might need further support exploring emotions and relationships in future lessons.

This lesson marries creative expression with emotional literacy, setting a solid foundation for the PSHE topic of positive relationships in a way that’s engaging and age-appropriate for Year 2 children in the UK.

Teaching Instructions