Progressive Masculinity - Male Emotions KS2

An engaging 8-lesson KS2 PSHE unit helping children explore emotions, challenge toxic masculinity, and build healthy attitudes towards feelings and empathy

Brave Hearts is an 8-lesson KS2 Personal Development scheme designed to help children explore emotions, challenge gender stereotypes, and understand the concepts of toxic and progressive masculinity in a safe, age-appropriate way.

Overall Skills Developed:

• Understanding and naming emotions.
• Challenging stereotypes like “boys don’t cry.”
• Building emotional vocabulary and resilience.
• Identifying safe spaces and role models.
• Developing coping strategies for big emotions.

Lesson-by-Lesson:

• What are Emotions? – Learn to recognise emotions, challenge early gendered beliefs, and reflect on feelings.
• Busting Myths about Boys and Emotions – Identify myths vs facts, challenge “boys must be tough,” and create myth-busting reflections.
• Feelings Inside My Body – Detect physical signs of emotions and become “emotion detectives.”
• Safe Spaces to Share – Identify trusted people/places, co-create a Safe Space Charter.
• Role Models Who Feel – Learn about men who show emotions publicly; reflect on bravery in feelings.
• Words for Feelings – Build wider vocabulary for emotions.
• What Do I Do With My Feelings? – Develop calming strategies and personal “toolboxes.”
• Emotions Make Me Strong – Reflect on teamwork and resilience, recognise emotions as strengths.

Through interactive lessons, discussions, creative activities, and real-life role models, pupils learn:
What emotions are and how to express them healthily.
How to challenge stereotypes such as “boys don’t cry.”
Ways to recognise emotions in themselves and others.
The importance of safe spaces and trusted adults for sharing feelings.
How to develop a rich emotional vocabulary.
Strategies for coping with big emotions and supporting friends.
That expressing emotions is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Each lesson includes:
Clear learning objectives
Key vocabulary
Creative, practical activities (e.g., sorting myths vs. facts, creating a “Wall of Bravery,” designing a “Calm Down Toolbox”)
Discussion prompts to promote empathy and critical thinking
Reflection tasks to build self-awareness
By the end of the unit, pupils will have developed emotional literacy, empathy, and resilience, while breaking down harmful myths around masculinity and emotional expression.

This scheme is ideal for PSHE, Personal Development, or Wellbeing sessions and comes with a ready-to-use PowerPoint, teacher guidance, and printable activities.