Media Health Messages PSHE lesson
A primary PSHE lesson for Years 1 and 2 that helps UK teachers introduce media and advertising messages about health in a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Pupils learn to notice how adverts and media try to influence food and lifestyle choices, and begin to ask simple questions about whether a message seems helpful or misleading. The lesson gives teachers a calm, age-appropriate way to introduce early critical thinking about media messages, without needing prior knowledge of advertising or online safety.
Online Safety, AI & Digital Literacy
Snapshot
Media Health Messages
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce early media literacy skills alongside healthy lifestyle learning.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Recognising how adverts and media messages try to influence health and lifestyle choices
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What pupils will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise that adverts and media messages try to influence the food and lifestyle choices people make
identify examples of health related adverts or messages they may see at home or school, such as on packaging or television
recognise that not every message about food or health is accurate or helpful
Understand
understand that adverts often use bright colours, catchy words or pictures to make products seem appealing
understand that healthy choices can be based on more than what an advert says
Practise
practise asking simple questions about a health message, such as whether it seems true or fair
practise talking about healthy eating and lifestyle choices using their own words
practise sharing their thinking about an advert or message in a respectful way
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for pupils in Years 1 and 2 who are beginning to notice adverts, packaging and media messages in everyday life.
It is suitable for:
primary PSHE lessons
relationships education and wellbeing sessions
early media literacy or digital literacy teaching
pastoral care, circle time or form time discussions
healthy eating and lifestyle learning
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, pupil maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Introducing media literacy Use when pupils are new to thinking about adverts, packaging or media messages.
Building healthy lifestyle learning Use alongside broader learning about food, exercise or everyday health habits.
Practising critical thinking Use when pupils are ready to ask simple questions about whether a message seems true or fair.
Reinforcing respectful discussion Use to build classroom habits around sharing opinions calmly and listening to others.
Preparing for wider online safety learning Use as an early step before more detailed digital literacy or online safety teaching.
Creating a structured PSHE discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher-led discussion about media and health messages.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Young pupils see adverts and health messages every day, on television, packaging and at home, often without realising these messages are designed to influence their choices. Media literacy is not only about spotting adverts. It also helps pupils build the early habit of asking questions about the messages they see, rather than accepting them without thought. This lesson supports pupils to link everyday media messages with their growing understanding of healthy eating and lifestyle choices, helping them build confidence to think critically as they grow older.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Critical thinking Pupils learn to question whether a media message is accurate or fair.
Media awareness Pupils notice how adverts use pictures, colours and words to persuade.
Communication skills Pupils practise sharing their thinking about a message respectfully.
Healthy decision making Pupils connect media messages to their own understanding of healthy choices.
Confidence Pupils build confidence to ask simple questions rather than accept messages without thought.
Respectful discussion Pupils listen to others' views during class discussion.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Consider gathering a few examples of packaging or adverts pupils may recognise, if available
Remind pupils not to name specific brands unnecessarily
Frame the discussion around noticing messages generally, rather than judging particular products or families' choices
Keep the tone curious rather than critical of individual pupils' habits
During delivery
Use simple, familiar examples such as adverts seen on television or packaging pupils may recognise
Give pupils time to share their thinking aloud or through drawing
Reinforce that noticing a message is not the same as saying a product is bad
Keep language calm and non judgmental when discussing food or lifestyle choices
Supporting safe discussion
Encourage privacy when pupils talk about what they eat or do at home
Ask pupils to avoid naming classmates or commenting on others' choices
Use general examples rather than personal disclosures
Adaptation options
Use pictures or packaging examples for pupils who need visual support
Use partner talk or drawing for quieter pupils
Spend more time on the idea of persuasion if pupils need extra support understanding why adverts are made
