Free to Choose - understanding addiction. Age 9-16 Scheme of Work for 10 weeks.
FREE TO CHOOSE
Understanding Addiction, Protecting Your Brain and Choosing Your Future
By Jane S. Whitby
What if children could understand addiction before it becomes a problem?
FREE TO CHOOSE is a powerful and engaging 10-week educational course designed to help young people aged 10–12 understand addiction, mental health, technology habits, and the science of the brain in a safe, age-appropriate, and thought-provoking way.
Created for teachers, parents, homeschoolers, youth leaders, and PSHE educators, this complete workbook explores the hidden dangers of addictive behaviours while encouraging healthy habits, emotional resilience, critical thinking, and self-awareness.
Through real-world discussions, comprehension tasks, activities, reflection questions, and guided learning, students will explore:
• What addiction really is
• How dopamine and the brain’s reward system work
• Addictive personalities and emotional wellbeing
• Gaming, social media, vaping, gambling, and screen addiction
• How companies use persuasive technology and advertising
• The emotional, physical, and social effects of addiction
• Healthy coping strategies and recovery habits
Each chapter includes:
• Structured lesson outlines
• Comprehension texts
• 10 comprehension questions
• Classroom discussion prompts
• Activities and projects
• Links to videos, games, and further reading
Written in a clear and accessible style for younger learners, FREE TO CHOOSE empowers children to think critically about the world around them and make informed, healthy choices for their future.










