Bullying and being mean wellbeing lesson plan
A primary wellbeing lesson for Foundation that helps Australian teachers introduce unkind behaviour, bullying and safe help-seeking through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn simple ways to recognise harmful behaviour, respond safely and ask a trusted adult for help. The lesson uses age-appropriate language and teacher-led discussion to build early skills in kindness, inclusion and safe help-seeking, with minimal preparation required.
Bullying prevention
Kindness and Inclusion
Help-seeking
Unkind Behaviour
Safe Responses
Snapshot
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce bullying and unkind behaviour using simple, age-appropriate language students can use in everyday school life.
Key Focus
Recognising unkind behaviour and practising safe responses
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
Best Suited to:
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for Foundation students who are beginning to learn about kindness, inclusion, unkind behaviour and safe help-seeking. It is suitable for: • Primary wellbeing lessons • Health or PDHPE teaching • Pastoral care or circle time • Class culture and behaviour expectation work • Early bullying prevention and respectful relationships work Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student 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.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Young students need simple, usable language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing how to seek help before patterns become normalised. Bullying prevention is not only about responding after harm occurs. It is also about teaching students early how to notice unfair behaviour, include others, speak up safely and ask for help when something does not feel right. A single hurtful action can still matter, and repeated unkind behaviour can develop into bullying. This lesson supports a safer classroom culture by helping students understand that kindness is active. Students learn that they can make choices that help classmates feel included, and that trusted adults are there to help when a situation feels unsafe or too difficult to manage alone.
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
Social awareness
Students notice when someone is excluded or treated unfairly.
Empathy
Students consider how unkind behaviour can make others feel.
Relationship skills
Students practise kind words and inclusive actions with classmates.
Help-seeking
Students learn when and how to ask a trusted adult for support.
Protective behaviours
Students recognise that unsafe behaviour should be shared with a safe adult.
Belonging
Students reinforce that everyone in the class deserves to feel safe and included.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Curriculum and framework alignment
This lesson supports common Australian primary wellbeing and Health education priorities.
• Health and Physical Education
• Personal and Social capability
• Respectful relationships education
• Protective behaviours
• Anti-bullying and inclusion
• Help-seeking
• Safe and supportive learning environments
Schools can use the lesson as part of a broader wellbeing program, PDHPE sequence, pastoral care plan or respectful relationships approach in Australian primary schools.
Want to see how Wellio lessons map to Australian curriculum and wellbeing priorities? Download the Australian curriculum map for a clearer view across year levels, topics and learning areas.
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.
Remind students not to name classmates or share other people's stories
Frame the discussion around general examples and scenarios, not personal accusations
Reinforce that students do not need to argue, retaliate or handle unsafe situations alone
Identify trusted adults students can speak to at school
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe.
Use simple examples such as "left out on purpose", "laughed at" and "unkind words"
Give students time to practise short phrases aloud
Reinforce that students do not need to argue, retaliate or handle unsafe situations alone
Allow students to respond through discussion, drawing or simple role-play depending on confidence
Use general scenarios rather than asking students to share personal disclosures
Reinforce that asking for help is responsible, not getting someone in trouble
Remind students they can pass on questions or speak to a trusted adult after the lesson
Use role-play for confident groups
Use drawing or partner reflection for quieter groups
Spend more time on identifying trusted adults if students need extra support with help pathways
