Teaching about Body Image
Children with a positive body image are comfortable with their physical appearance and are more likely to think about their body in relation to the way it helps them function in a physical sense. Children with positive body image might not be completely satisfied with their appearance, but they concentrate on assets rather than flaws. This way of thinking contributes to a positive sense of self-worth.
Even quite young children can develop unhealthy ideas about body image. Research suggests that concerns about personal appearance seem to emerge around the age of six or seven years old when peer relationships become of greater importance and start to have a strong influence on how children feel about themselves. Ideas about how other children feel about their bodies can inform a child’s own body image.
Alongside this, media images can also play an increasingly important role in influencing young children’s values and ideas.
Schools are in an excellent position to support children in the development of improved body confidence and self-esteem as part of a well-planned programme of PSHE.
Suggested Resources for Teaching about Body Image
- Teacher Guidance: Key Standards in Teaching about Body Image
This guidance offers teachers advice about the safe and confident teaching of body image as part of the PSHE curriculum. It has been developed by the PSHE Association.
Teacher Guidance - Key Standards in Teaching about Body Image
- Promoting Positive Body Image in the Primary School - A practical guide to teaching body image lessons sensitively and effectively to 5 to 11-year-olds.
This course will enable you to:
- Understand the full scale of body image issues currently faced by young children
- Consider how best to approach the topic with sensitivity and understanding
- Discuss four body image lessons and associated resources for delivery back at school
- Learn about the dos and don’ts of teaching body image safely
- Explore how to embed positive body image as part of the broader curriculum
- Create an action plan for engaging parents
Promoting Positive Body Image in the Primary School
Issues around body image can begin at an early age so providing an environment at school and home that promotes emotional resilience, self-confidence and self-worth will go a long way towards ensuring that young people feel good about themselves, whatever they look like; we are all different and this makes us unique and special!
Schools, practitioners and parents and Carers can find more information, help and support through the Mental Health Toolkit: Body Image which includes, the Community Eating Disorder Service (CEDS) virtual training for schools.
Mental Health Toolkit: Body Positivity and Eating Disorders (cypsomersethealth.org)
Page updated June 2024
