Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Grade 2

Other Virginia Family Life Education sets

The student will recognize that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and that all persons need to be accepted and appreciated as worthwhile.

  • 1

    The key idea is that all human beings are worthwhile and need to be accepted and appreciated as they are. The emphasis is on daily experiences in which children receive the message that they are worthwhile. In this environment the student is able to use his or her strengths to overcome weaknesses, to realize that not everyone has the same strengths and weaknesses, to change the things he or she can change, and to accept the things that cannot be changed. Care is taken to ensure that children view persons with a physical or mental disability as unique individuals with many strengths.2.1

The student will realize that adults other than parents also provide care and support for children.

  • 2

    Adults, other than parents, who provide care and support for children include foster parents; child-care providers; day-care teachers; extended family members; neighbors; family friends; and personnel of community support agencies, civic organizations, and religious organizations.2.2

The student will become aware that babies grow inside the mother's body in a special place called the uterus.

  • 3

    The purpose of this objective is to provide basic, age-appropriate, medically-accurate information; to demonstrate ease or comfort in talking about reproduction-related topics; and to correct misinformation.2.3

The student will become aware of the need to take responsibility for the effects of his or her behavior on others.

  • 4

    Through daily classroom experiences, the teacher can encourage children to express appreciation for positive peer behavior such as helping, sharing, being courteous, accepting others' opinions, and showing respect for others' possessions. When hurtful behavior occurs, children can be encouraged to make restitution by helping the victim solve the problem caused by the behavior. School personnel will use positive mental health practices to resolve problem behavior. The importance of privacy and boundaries for self and others is reinforced along with tools to ensure that the student respects the personal privacy and boundaries of others.2.4

The student will demonstrate appropriate ways of dealing with feelings.

  • 5

    Pleasant feelings (for example, those associated with success and praise) and unpleasant feelings (for example, those resulting from anger, rejection, isolation, and failure) are discussed. The student will begin to understand the characteristics of appropriate and inappropriate behavior as it relates to relationships. The concept of virtual relationships will be introduced. Appropriate behavior, in response to pleasant and unpleasant feelings, is practiced in pretend situations so that these desirable strategies are available when needed in real-life situations.2.5

The student will realize that physical affection can be an expression of friendship, of celebration, or of a loving family.

  • 6

    The teacher continues to reinforce the concept that appropriate expressions of affection are healthy for the individual and for the family. The student will recognize inappropriate expressions and demonstrate skills to correct inappropriate expressions. 2.6

The student will advance in readiness to say "no" and to tell a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, minister, grandparent, or guardian, in private about inappropriate approaches from family members, neighbors, strangers, and others.

  • 7

    This is a review of the elements of good (positive, healthy) and bad (negative, unhealthy) touching, including how to handle inappropriate approaches. The student will understand the differences between appropriate and inappropriate expressions of affection and behavior, including the use of electronic devices to convey such feelings.2.7

The student will be conscious of how commercials use our emotions to make us want products.

  • 8

    Children are introduced to the concept of media influences, which is developed further at higher grade levels. The students are given examples of techniques used by the media to create excitement and a desire to purchase products. Students will begin to understand how the media affects mental health issues such as self- esteem or body image.2.8

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 2

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Keep exploring Family Life Education standards

Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.