What Is Peer Pressure?

Peer pressure is when a person’s peers influence them to change their attitudes, behaviors, or actions in order to conform to the group’s expectations or norms. This type of influence can occur in different ways, both positive and negative, and typically comes from friends or classmates in a school environment.

As a teacher, it’s really important to understand how peer pressure can impact your students’ social and emotional growth. When peer pressure is positive, it can motivate your students to excel academically, participate in constructive activities, and develop positive traits like kindness and teamwork. However, negative peer pressure can lead to risky behaviors like bullying or engaging in activities that may not align with their personal values or safety.

Teach Your Students How to Deal With Peer Pressure

Teachers play an important role in helping students deal with peer pressure by creating a friendly classroom environment. This involves encouraging open communication, promoting individuality, teaching how to make assertive decisions and creating a culture of respect and acceptance. By giving students the power to make wise choices, build confidence and resist negative influences, teachers can help reduce the impact of peer pressure and promote a positive and inclusive learning atmosphere.

Teach Starter has created a poster to use in your classroom to help students know what to do when faced with peer pressure. The steps outlined in this poster are:

• Know what’s right
• Practice saying no
• Have a plan
• Walk away
• Seek support

How to Get Your Peer Pressure Poster

If you are ready to add this SEL poster to your classroom, head on over to the green download button! Here, you can access the quick-print PDF file available in both color and black and white.

Consider printing the poster on cardstock and laminating it to ensure it will last for many years to come!

More SEL Activities for Your Classroom!

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities to shorten your lesson planning time:

teaching resource

Conflict Resolution Tips - Poster

Display some top tips for solving playground conflicts with this colorful and informative classroom poster.

teaching resource

Dealing with Bullying Teaching Slides

Teach your students about bullying and being resilient with an interactive slide deck.

teaching resource

Managing Anger Scenario Cards

Explore ways to manage anger in a variety of real-life situations with this set of 16 scenario cards.