Personal & social development // Empathy & Social Awareness
Different Lives and Experiences
Understand that people's lives and experiences can be very different from their own — that some children face challenges like disability, poverty, family difficulties, or being new to a country — and develop compassion rather than judgement
Quick check
If a new child joins the learner's class who doesn't speak much English or whose family situation is very different, does the learner show understanding and try to include them rather than avoiding them?
Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.
Topic // Mastery
What mastery looks like
- Describe at least two ways another child's life experience might differ significantly from their own
- Explain why it's important not to judge someone based on their circumstances
- Suggest a kind action they could take to help someone facing a difficult situation
Topic // Map
Where this fits
- RequiredMust come first
- HelpfulHelps, but not essential
Before this
3 topics- Similarities & DifferencesRequired
Empathy & Social Awareness // Ages 5 to 7
Understanding different lives builds on noticing similarities/differences
Empathy & Social Awareness // Ages 7 to 9
Understanding different lives benefits from perspective-taking skills
- Vocabulary: social awarenessHelpful
Empathy & Social Awareness // Ages 7 to 11
Understanding diverse lives requires vocabulary for compassion, fairness, and community
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Different Lives and Experiences
Ages 7 to 9 // Concept
Leads to
2 topicsEmpathy & Social Awareness // Ages 9 to 11
Recognising stereotypes builds on understanding diverse life experiences
Empathy & Social Awareness // Ages 9 to 11
Cultural diversity appreciation builds on understanding different lives
Topic // Standards
Curriculum standards
- IB PYP Personal, Social and Physical Education (PSPE) Scope and Sequence
- PSPE-ID-LO-P2-1
Personal & social development // Empathy & Social Awareness
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