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My Boundaries, My Rules!

Lesson Plan

My Boundaries, My Rules!

Students will be able to define healthy boundaries and identify different types of boundaries. Students will also learn to communicate their boundaries effectively and understand why setting boundaries is important for their personal well-being.

Understanding and setting healthy boundaries is a crucial life skill that empowers students to protect their physical, emotional, and personal space. It helps them build respectful relationships, avoid uncomfortable situations, and develop a strong sense of self-worth.

Audience

5th Grade Individual Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, examples, and personal reflection.

Materials

Whiteboard or Chart Paper, Markers, Healthy Boundaries Slide Deck, Healthy Boundaries Reading, and Boundary Builder Worksheet

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What Are Boundaries?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking the student: "What does the word 'boundary' mean to you?" Allow them to share their initial thoughts.
    - Introduce the concept of healthy boundaries using the Healthy Boundaries Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
    - Explain that boundaries are like invisible lines that protect our personal space, feelings, and belongings, helping us feel safe and respected.

Step 2

Exploring Different Boundaries

10 minutes

  • Use the Healthy Boundaries Slide Deck (Slides 3-5) to discuss different types of boundaries: physical, emotional, and digital.
    - Provide clear examples for each type, and ask the student to share their own examples or experiences where appropriate (e.g., "What does a physical boundary look like for you at school?" or "How might an emotional boundary help you when you're feeling sad?").
    - Distribute the Healthy Boundaries Reading and have the student read it aloud or silently. Discuss any new vocabulary or concepts.

Step 3

Setting and Communicating Boundaries

10 minutes

  • Transition to discussing how to set and communicate boundaries using the Healthy Boundaries Slide Deck (Slides 6-7).
    - Emphasize the importance of clear, kind, and firm communication.
    - Role-play simple scenarios with the student, practicing phrases like "No, thank you," "I need some space," or "Please don't touch my things."

Step 4

Boundary Builder Worksheet

5 minutes

  • Hand out the Boundary Builder Worksheet.
    - Guide the student through the first few questions, ensuring they understand the task.
    - Encourage them to think about their own boundaries and how they might communicate them. Provide support as needed for independent work.
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Slide Deck

My Boundaries, My Rules!

What does 'boundary' mean to you?

Greet the student warmly and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about what 'boundary' means to them. Encourage open discussion.

What Are Boundaries?

Invisible lines that protect our space, feelings, and belongings.
They help us feel safe and respected.

Explain that boundaries are like invisible lines that help us feel safe and respected. Give a simple example like personal space.

Types of Boundaries: Physical

  • Physical Boundaries: Your body, personal space, and how people touch you.
  • Examples: Not wanting hugs, needing space when you're upset, saying "no" to unwanted tickles.

Introduce the idea of different types of boundaries. Start with physical boundaries and provide examples relevant to a 5th grader (e.g., personal space, not wanting to be tickled).

Types of Boundaries: Emotional

  • Emotional Boundaries: Your feelings, thoughts, and personal information.
  • Examples: Not sharing secrets you don't want to, asking friends not to tease you, choosing who you share your feelings with.

Move on to emotional boundaries. Explain that these protect our feelings. Provide examples like not wanting someone to tease you or make fun of your feelings.

Types of Boundaries: Digital

  • Digital Boundaries: How you interact online and what you share digitally.
  • Examples: Not sharing passwords, asking before posting pictures of others, setting limits on screen time.

Discuss digital boundaries, which are very relevant today. Talk about online interactions, sharing photos, and screen time limits.

Setting Your Boundaries

  1. Know Your Limits: What makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe?
  2. Communicate Clearly: Use "I" statements. "I feel uncomfortable when..."
  3. Be Respectful: Understand others have boundaries too.

Explain the importance of clear communication when setting boundaries. Emphasize being kind but firm. You can role-play here.

Phrases to Use

  • "No, thank you."
  • "I need some space right now."
  • "Please don't touch my things."
  • "I don't feel comfortable with that."
  • "Can we talk about this later?"

Provide practical phrases the student can use. Encourage them to practice saying these out loud.

Why Are Boundaries Important?

  • Keep you safe.
  • Help you feel respected.
  • Build stronger, healthier relationships.
  • Show self-respect.

Conclude by reiterating that setting boundaries is a sign of self-respect and helps build healthier relationships.

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Reading

Understanding Healthy Boundaries

Think of boundaries like invisible fences around your personal space. Just like a fence around a yard helps keep things safe and organized, boundaries help keep you safe and your feelings organized. They are rules you set for yourself and for how you want others to treat you.

Why Do We Need Boundaries?

Boundaries are super important because they help us:

  • Feel Safe: They protect our bodies and our feelings from things that make us uncomfortable.
  • Feel Respected: When people respect our boundaries, it shows they care about us and our feelings.
  • Build Good Friendships: Good friends understand and respect each other's limits.
  • Know Ourselves Better: When you set a boundary, you are telling yourself and others what you need to feel happy and healthy.

Different Kinds of Boundaries

There are a few main types of boundaries:

1. Physical Boundaries

These are about your body and personal space. It's okay to decide who can touch you, how they touch you, and how close they can get to you. You have the right to say "no" if someone tries to hug you when you don't want a hug, or if they stand too close for your comfort.

  • Example: You might tell a friend, "Please don't tickle me, I don't like it." Or, "I need a little more space when we are talking."

2. Emotional Boundaries

These are about your feelings and thoughts. It's okay to decide what you want to share with others and what you want to keep private. It's also about protecting your feelings from being hurt by others' words or actions.

  • Example: If a friend is always complaining and making you feel sad, you might say, "I can't talk about this right now, it's making me feel down." Or, "I don't want to share that secret with others."

3. Digital Boundaries

These are important for when you're online, playing games, or using a computer or tablet. It's about what you share, who you talk to, and how much time you spend online.

  • Example: You might decide not to share your passwords with anyone, even a best friend. Or, you might tell your parents, "I need to stop playing this game now because I said I would only play for an hour."

How to Set a Boundary

Setting a boundary means telling someone what you need in a clear and kind way. It's not about being mean; it's about being strong and taking care of yourself.

  1. Figure out what you need: Think about what makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
  2. Use "I" statements: Instead of "You always..." try "I feel... when..." For example, "I feel uncomfortable when you grab my phone without asking."
  3. Be clear and firm: Say what you need directly. Don't whisper or mumble. You can be polite but still be firm.
  4. Practice: It can be hard at first, but the more you practice, the easier it becomes.

Remember, your boundaries are your rules for how you deserve to be treated. Setting them helps you stay happy, healthy, and respected!

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Worksheet

Boundary Builder Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________

Part 1: What Does a Boundary Mean to You?

  1. In your own words, what is a healthy boundary?





  2. Why do you think it is important to have boundaries?





Part 2: My Boundaries

Think about different situations and what makes you feel comfortable or uncomfortable. Then, write down a boundary you might set.

Physical Boundaries

  1. Imagine someone keeps touching your hair, and you don't like it. What physical boundary could you set?
    My boundary:





  2. What words could you use to tell them your boundary?
    I would say:





Emotional Boundaries

  1. Your friend keeps telling you secrets about other people, and it makes you feel uncomfortable. What emotional boundary could you set?
    My boundary:





  2. What words could you use to tell your friend your boundary?
    I would say:





Digital Boundaries

  1. Someone online asks you for your password. What digital boundary should you always have?
    My boundary:





  2. What words could you use to tell them your boundary?
    I would say:





Part 3: Practicing Boundaries

  1. Think of one boundary you want to try and set this week (it can be big or small!). What is it?
    My boundary:





  2. How will you communicate this boundary?
    I will say/do:





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My Boundaries, My Rules! • Lenny Learning