Icarus – Peer Pressure, Group Influence & Personal Values | 2 PSHE Lessons

Can children recognise peer pressure when nobody is directly telling them what to do?

“Icarus, or When Everyone Does It” is a story-based PSHE and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) resource designed for children aged 8–12. It includes an original fictional story and two structured lessons exploring peer influence, the desire to belong, group behaviour, personal values and responsibility.

Unlike direct peer pressure, group influence can develop gradually through admiration, imitation and the wish to be accepted.

In the story, nine-year-old Icarus becomes fascinated by a group of confident, popular boys from a neighbouring village. Wanting to be like them, he begins copying their appearance, distancing himself from his old friends and accepting behaviour he previously believed was wrong.

Even when Icarus decides to stop participating, he finds it difficult to speak up because he fears losing his new friends.

Through reading, discussion and reflection, pupils explore how the desire to belong can influence decisions, why “everyone does it” does not necessarily make something right, and how to remain true to personal values.

What’s Included?

Lesson 1 – Reading and Exploring the Story

• Original fictional story: “Icarus, or When Everyone Does It”
• Structured reading activities using the Reciprocal Teaching approach
• Predicting, questioning, clarifying and summarising tasks
• Guided discussion and reflection questions
• Homework assignment encouraging pupils to explore examples of group influence

“Lesson 2 – Recognising Peer Influence and Staying True to Your Values”

• Interactive “Invitation, Advice or Pressure?” activity featuring 16 classroom scenarios
• Discussion of direct and indirect peer influence
• “Change the Words” activity exploring respectful communication and freedom of choice
• Pupil presentations and whole-class discussion
• Final reflection activities