SPHE
Parents can contribute to the social, personal and health development of the child by
– keeping themselves fully informed of the content of the SPHE programme and of the approaches to the teaching of it in school
– being consistently aware of the importance of helping in the development of values and attitudes – encouraging and affirming children in their efforts
– helping children to be involved in taking responsible decisions and in making good choices
– encouraging children to take care of themselves through good hygiene and healthy eating habits – stressing the importance of taking plenty of exercise—walking, cycling, skateboarding, swimming, etc.
– impressing upon children the dangers involved in the misuse of different substances such as alcohol and drugs
– helping them to learn about the changes that take place in their bodies at various stages of development
– stressing the importance of family, how people should get on as a family, and how members of the family should care for each other
– talking to children about the importance of friendship—how necessary friends are, how we should be loyal to friends, how we sometimes fall out, and the valuable lessons that can be learned from making up
– helping children to be aware that they are part of a wider community in which they should play their part.