​About RME

This page contains simple ideas to help children: understand more about their own and others’ beliefs, values, practices and traditions; learn about and from the world’s religious and other belief groups; reflect on and act upon their own developing beliefs and values.

As your child or young person moves forward with their learning, it is important that their learning in religious and moral education is developed in a safe, caring, supportive, focused environment where open and honest discussion of religious and moral issues is encouraged and nurtured.

This approach encourages relationships that are based on mutual respect and understanding.

Early level

Note: Children in their early years and Primary 1, as well as some older children, will be working at the early level of Curriculum for Excellence. Find out more about curriculum levels.

Beliefs

• Share your own beliefs with your child and encourage them to reflect upon them in their own way.
• Discuss with your child the similarities and differences between your/your family’s beliefs and those of your wider family, friends and community. Support your child in understanding and valuing diversity.
• Take time every day to talk and listen to your child without distractions. Share what you have been doing in the day. Talk about the things that went well and the challenges and how you dealt with them. Discuss how your own beliefs support you in your daily life. Encourage your child to do the same.
• Encourage your child to talk about their own beliefs and those of others. Talk about characters in a book or film. What beliefs might these characters have in different situations? How do they behave and react to different things in the story? Talk about what other choices these characters could have made. Ask your child what they think about the choices made. Ask your child what they would have done in the same situation and why they would have done this.
• Recognise and celebrate when your child has done well, for example helping to put away the shopping, sharing toys with friends, showing kindness and consideration for others or taking part in a game and having fun regardless of the result. Discuss with your child how their actions link to the beliefs they have.
• Talk with your child about things which are happening in the world and how these link to people’s beliefs.
• Encourage your child to be confident in expressing their own beliefs but also sensitive to the beliefs of others.

Values

• Children learn through the behaviour they see: think about the behaviours you model and how this demonstrates your own values.
• Encourage your child think about their own values and to link their values to their everyday actions.
• Give your child some responsibility around the house, for example to put their clothes away once they have been washed, or to help set the table for a meal. Discuss the values which such behaviours are linked to and why you think they are important.
• On visits to local play parks, encourage your child to share and take turns with other children using the equipment. Praise them for their efforts and attitudes when showing respect towards others. Link these actions to your and your child’s values.
• Encourage your child to put litter in a bin/bring it home. Go along with your child on a community litter pick. Help them to take pride in their local community. Link these actions to your and your child’s values.
• Get involved! Encourage and support your child to attend clubs and activities. Consider volunteering as a helper or coach if you have the time. Link these actions to your values.
  Look at family pictures, talk about who is in them and what relationship they are to you and your child. Share some of your stories about these people and what they, as people, mean/meant to you. Discuss with your child how the people in the pictures lived their lives, the values they had and how they put them into action.
• Talk with your child about right and wrong when the opportunity arises and encourage your child to explore why they think something is right or wrong – and how this compares with your views.
• Encourage your child to be confident in living according to their own values, but also be sensitive to the values of others.

Practices and traditions

• Talk with your child about family celebrations – what does your family do and why do they do it. Encourage your child to get involved and play an active part in these.
• Talk with your child about different times of year and ways in which your family/community marks these. What do you do and why? Encourage your child to be actively involved.
• At important family events such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays talk with your child about the things your family does at these. Talk about how your practices might be similar to/different from those of others.
• Talk with your child about the celebrations which others you know engage in. Help your child to understand these celebrations and to act appropriately if they are involved in these in any way.
• On walks in your local area, talk about the buildings, places and objects you might pass regularly. Talk with your child about what these buildings/places/objects signify and what practices are linked to them. For example you may pass religious buildings and discuss what you think (or know) happens in them. There may be war memorials close by for example, and you could discuss remembrance practices.
• When in less familiar places, talk with your child about the buildings, objects and places there. In what ways are these the same as those at home or different? What similar and different practices might take place there?
• Encourage your child to share in family practices and traditions and to develop their understanding of these while also being sensitive to the practices and traditions of others.

First/second level (primary)

Beliefs

• Share your own beliefs with your child and encourage them to reflect upon them in their own way. Support your child in asking questions about your beliefs and those of others.
• Discuss with your child the similarities and differences between your/your family’s beliefs and those of your wider family, friends and community. Support your child in understanding and valuing diversity. Help your child develop their understanding of different beliefs and how these fit with their own developing beliefs.
• Take time every day to talk and listen to your child without distractions. Share what you have been doing in the day. Talk about the things that went well and the challenges and how you dealt with them. Discuss how your own beliefs support you in your daily life. Encourage your child to do the same. Help your child to understand the ways in which beliefs can shape actions.
• Encourage your child to talk about their own beliefs and those of others. Talk about characters in a book or film. What beliefs might these characters have in different situations? How do they behave and react to different things in the story? Talk about what other choices these characters could have made. Ask your child what they think about the choices made. Ask your child what they would have done in the same situation and why they would have done this.
  Help your child to understand where beliefs come from and how your/your family’s beliefs link to your child’s beliefs.
• Recognise and celebrate when your child has done well, for example helping to put away the shopping, sharing toys with friends, showing kindness and consideration for others or taking part in a game and having fun regardless of the result. Discuss with your child how their actions link to the beliefs they have. Support your child in valuing their positive actions and encouraging others in acting positively.
• Talk with your child about things which are happening in the world and how these link to people’s beliefs. Encourage your child to understand and recognise that beliefs can have positive or negative consequences and help them to use their own beliefs to support positive action.
  Encourage your child to be confident in expressing their own beliefs but also sensitive to the beliefs of others.

Values

• Children learn through the behaviour they see: think about the behaviours you model and how this demonstrates your own values. Encourage your child to ask questions about behaviours and how values link to these behaviours.
• Encourage your child think about their own values and to link their values to their everyday actions and to recognise when others do this.
• Give your child some responsibility around the house, for example to put their clothes away once they have been washed, or to help set the table for a meal. Discuss the values which such behaviours are linked to and why you think they are important. You could give your child increasing responsibility for looking after a pet or other family members.
• On visits to local play parks, encourage your child to share and take turns with other children using the equipment. Praise them for their efforts and attitudes when showing respect towards others. Link these actions to your and your child’s values.
• Encourage your child to put litter in a bin/bring it home. Go along with your child on a community litter pick. Help them to take pride in their local community. Link these actions to your and your child’s values and help them to recognise how values, behaviours and consequences are linked.
• Get involved! Encourage and support your child to attend clubs and activities. Consider volunteering as a helper or coach if you have the time. Link these actions to your values. You could also encourage your child to take up leadership and support roles in clubs and school and so demonstrate their own developing values.
• Look at family pictures, talk about who is in them and what relationship they are to you and your child. Share some of your stories about these people and what they, as people, mean/meant to you. Discuss with your child how the people in the pictures lived their lives, the values they had and how they put them into action. Encourage your child to ask questions about the values family members past and present hold and how these affect their lives.
• Talk with your child about right and wrong when the opportunity arises and encourage your child to explore why they think something is right or wrong – and how this compares with your views. Support your child in asking questions about your/your family’s views about right and wrong.
• Encourage your child to be confident in living according to their own values, but also be sensitive to the values of others.

Practices and traditions

• Talk with your child about family celebrations – what does your family do and why do they do it. Encourage your child to get involved and play an active part in these.
• Talk with your child about different times of year and ways in which your family/community marks these. What do you do and why? Encourage your child to be actively involved and to ask questions about these practices and traditions.
• At important family events such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays talk with your child about the things your family does at these. Talk about how your practices might be similar to/different from those of others. Encourage your child to learn about the practices and traditions of others – for example by attending different celebrations and customs of their friends and perhaps community members.
• Talk with your child about the celebrations which others you know engage in. Help your child to understand these celebrations and to act appropriately if they are involved in these in any way.
• Help your child to become more aware of the practices, traditions, festivals, celebrations and customs followed by others. When watching TV or using online materials, support your child to develop their understanding.
• On walks in your local area , talk about the buildings, places and objects you might pass regularly. Talk with your child about what these buildings/places/objects signify and what practices are linked to them. For example you may pass religious buildings and discuss what you think (or know) happens in them. There may be war memorials close by for example, and you could discuss remembrance practices. Perhaps you could include visits with your child to religious and cultural sites and discuss what happens there. Many sites, places and buildings are open to the public.
• When in less familiar places, for example on holiday, talk with your child about the buildings, objects and places there and perhaps visit them if this is possible. In what ways are these the same as those at home or different? What similar and different practices might take place there? Support your child in acting appropriately in these places.
• Encourage your child to share in family practices and traditions and to develop their understanding of these while also being sensitive to the practices and traditions of others. 

Third/fourth level (S1-S3)

Beliefs

• Share your own beliefs with your child and encourage them to reflect upon them in their own way. Support your child in asking questions about your beliefs and those of others.
• Discuss with your child the similarities and differences between your/your family’s beliefs and those of your wider family, friends and community. Support your child in understanding and valuing diversity. Help your child develop their understanding of different beliefs and how these fit with their own developing beliefs.
• Take time every day to talk and listen to your child without distractions. Share what you have been doing in the day. Talk about the things that went well and the challenges and how you dealt with them. Discuss how your own beliefs support you in your daily life. Encourage your child to do the same. Help your child to understand the ways in which beliefs can shape actions.
• Encourage your child to talk about their own beliefs and those of others. Talk about characters in a book or film. What beliefs might these characters have in different situations? How do they behave and react to different things in the story? Talk about what other choices these characters could have made. Ask your child what they think about the choices made. Ask your child what they would have done in the same situation and why they would have done this.
• Help your child to understand where beliefs come from and how your/your family’s beliefs link to your child’s beliefs.
• Recognise and celebrate when your child has done well, for example helping to put away the shopping, sharing toys with friends, showing kindness and consideration for others or taking part in a game and having fun regardless of the result. Discuss with your child how their actions link to the beliefs they have. Support your child in valuing their positive actions and encouraging others in acting positively.
• Talk with your child about things which are happening in the world and how these link to people’s beliefs. Encourage your child to understand and recognise that beliefs can have positive or negative consequences and help them to use their own beliefs to support positive action.
• Encourage your child to be confident in expressing their own beliefs but also sensitive to the beliefs of others.

Values

• Children learn through the behaviour they see: think about the behaviours you model and how this demonstrates your own values. Encourage your child to ask questions about behaviours and how values link to these behaviours.
• Encourage your child think about their own values and to link their values to their everyday actions and to recognise when others do this.
• Give your child some responsibility around the house, for example to put their clothes away once they have been washed, or to help set the table for a meal. Discuss the values which such behaviours are linked to and why you think they are important. You could give your child increasing responsibility for looking after a pet or other family members.
• On visits to local play parks, encourage your child to share and take turns with other children using the equipment. Praise them for their efforts and attitudes when showing respect towards others. Link these actions to your and your child’s values.
• Encourage your child to put litter in a bin/bring it home. Go along with your child on a community litter pick. Help them to take pride in their local community. Link these actions to your and your child’s values and help them to recognise how values, behaviours and consequences are linked.
• Get involved! Encourage and support your child to attend clubs and activities. Consider volunteering as a helper or coach if you have the time. Link these actions to your values. You could also encourage your child to take up leadership and support roles in clubs and school and so demonstrate their own developing values.
  Look at family pictures, talk about who is in them and what relationship they are to you and your child. Share some of your stories about these people and what they, as people, mean/meant to you. Discuss with your child how the people in the pictures lived their lives, the values they had and how they put them into action. Encourage your child to ask questions about the values family members past and present hold and how these affect their lives.
• Talk with your child about right and wrong when the opportunity arises and encourage your child to explore why they think something is right or wrong – and how this compares with your views. Support your child in asking questions about your/your family’s views about right and wrong.
• Encourage your child to be confident in living according to their own values, but also be sensitive to the values of others.

Practices and traditions

• Talk with your child about family celebrations – what does your family do and why do they do it. Encourage your child to get involved and play an active part in these.
• Talk with your child about different times of year and ways in which your family/community marks these. What do you do and why? Encourage your child to be actively involved and to ask questions about these practices and traditions.
• At important family events such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays talk with your child about the things your family does at these. Talk about how your practices might be similar to/different from those of others. Encourage your child to learn about the practices and traditions of others – for example by attending different celebrations and customs of their friends and perhaps community members.
• Talk with your child about the celebrations which others you know engage in. Help your child to understand these celebrations and to act appropriately if they are involved in these in any way.
• Help your child to become more aware of the practices, traditions, festivals, celebrations and customs followed by others. When watching TV or using online materials, support your child to develop their understanding.
• On walks in your local area , talk about the buildings, places and objects you might pass regularly. Talk with your child about what these buildings/places/objects signify and what practices are linked to them. For example you may pass religious buildings and discuss what you think (or know) happens in them. There may be war memorials close by for example, and you could discuss remembrance practices. Perhaps you could include visits with your child to religious and cultural sites and discuss what happens there. Many sites, places and buildings are open to the public.
  When in less familiar places, for example on holiday, talk with your child about the buildings, objects and places there and perhaps visit them if this is possible. In what ways are these the same as those at home or different? What similar and different practices might take place there? Support your child in acting appropriately in these places.
• Encourage your child to share in family practices and traditions and to develop their understanding of these while also being sensitive to the practices and traditions of others.

Senior phase/post-16

Beliefs

• Show interest in what your child is doing at school/college/work. Take time to listen to them talking about what is going on in their lives. Listen to them as they talk about their beliefs and agree what support they would like from you to put these into action.
• Support them as they develop new friendships and interests. Encourage them to bring friends home and welcome them into your home. Support them in developing their own beliefs and recognise the importance of their increasing independence as they develop these beliefs.
• Encourage and support your child as they explore their own pathways in life. Be there for them. Remain true to your own beliefs and continue to model your own beliefs while respecting your child’s developing belief system.

Values

• Negotiate and agree how household responsibilities are shared, taking other commitments into consideration, for example examinations, work, sports and interests and socialising with friends. Support your child in living according to their own developing values while still providing a strong role-model of your own values.
• Respect your child’s private space and expect the same consideration in return. Develop a strong mutual understanding of your right to live according to your own set of values and discuss possible conflict in this openly, honestly and rationally.

Practices and traditions

• While continuing to model your own practices and traditions, promote independence and show your child that you have confidence in them to make suitable choices in the practices and traditions they follow – even if these are different to yours.
• Discuss and develop your understanding of any practices and traditions which your child engages in which are different to yours. Demonstrate understanding, love and respect while remaining true to your own practices and traditions.
• Encourage your child to engage in and explore other practices and traditions and develop their own thinking about these.