Dear FS-1 Families,
At DBIS we are committed to supporting the social, emotional, psychological and physical development of all of our children. Coupled with this, our drive is to always provide the most robust and rigorous child protection practice, which includes high-quality, age-appropriate Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).
At DBIS, we begin the PANTS programme in FS-1. This will begin during the week beginning Monday 15th January. PANTS (also known as the underwear campaign) was developed by the NSPCC to support and encourage teachers and parents to help children learn about how to keep themselves safe from sexual abuse, without using scary words or even mentioning sex. The PANTS programme teaches children that their bodies belong to them, they have the right to say no, and they should tell a trusted adult if they are upset or worried about something.
We recognise that some parents may find this a sensitive topic to discuss with young children; however, research shows that good-quality, age-appropriate RSE from an early age is beneficial in helping to protect children as they grow older and navigate their futures.
The acronym PANTS stands for the following:
Private parts are private
Always remember your body belongs to you
No means no
Talk about secrets that upset you
Speak up, someone can help
In FS-1, the children will be learning about the following themes in an age appropriate manner and in an age appropriate context:
- Develop awareness of different basic body parts
- Develop their understanding of consent and the way in which you ask permission before you touch someone else’s body.
- The PANTS rule and song; your body belongs to you.Â
The children will listen to stories that are purposefully designed for teaching three and four-year-olds about these topics and engage with class and small-group discussions.
If you wish to find out more about the PANTS programme and RSE for our EYFS children at DBIS, please view the video presentation (linked below) by our Head of Wellbeing, Jason Broderick.
RSE in the Early Years Parent Presentation
Should you wish to find out more about the NSPCC, the PANTS programme and the ‘Underwear Rule’ then please see the links below:
NSPCC:Â https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
NSPCC PANTS Website:Â https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/underwear-rule/
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher.
Kind regards,
The FS-1 Team