Friends Listen and Share PSHE lesson plan
A primary PSHE lesson for Years 1 to 2 that helps UK teachers introduce everyday friendship skills through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Pupils learn what it means to listen, share and be a good friend, and practise simple ways to show respect and include others in daily school life.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
Friends Listen and Share
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce everyday friendship skills such as listening, sharing and including others.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Building everyday friendship skills through listening, sharing and respect
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What pupils will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise what listening looks like when a friend is speaking
recognise when they are sharing fairly with others
recognise ways friends show they include one another
Understand
understand why listening to a friend helps them feel valued
understand that sharing and taking turns are part of being a good friend
Practise
practise using simple phrases to ask to join in or invite someone to play
practise taking turns and sharing during a shared activity
practise showing a friend they are listening
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for younger primary pupils in Years 1 and 2 who are beginning to learn practical friendship skills such as listening, sharing and including others.
It is suitable for:
primary PSHE lessons
relationships education
pastoral care, circle time or form time
class culture and friendship skill building
early respectful relationships work
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, pupil 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.
Introducing friendship skills Use when pupils are learning early language for listening, sharing and including others.
Building classroom culture Use when reinforcing expectations around kindness, turn taking and respect between pupils.
Supporting inclusion Use when pupils need practical ways to include others in play or group activities.
Reinforcing previous learning Use when revisiting earlier friendship or communication work to keep skills fresh.
Preparing for transition Use when peer groups are changing, such as moving classes or year groups.
Creating a structured PSHE discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher led conversation about everyday friendship behaviour.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Friendships shape how young pupils experience school every day. Learning to listen, share and include others gives pupils practical skills they can use straight away in the classroom and playground. Teaching these skills early helps pupils build habits of respect and consideration before difficulties arise. It also gives pupils a shared language for talking about friendship, so they can recognise when they are being a good friend and when a friend might need support. This lesson supports a positive classroom culture by treating friendship skills as something pupils can practise and improve, rather than something that simply happens on its own.
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
Listening skills Pupils practise giving full attention to a friend who is speaking.
Sharing and turn taking Pupils consider how sharing fairly supports positive friendships.
Empathy Pupils think about how listening and including others makes friends feel.
Inclusion Pupils practise simple ways to invite others to join in.
Communication Pupils build language for expressing themselves respectfully with friends.
Relationship skills Pupils practise behaviours that help friendships grow, such as listening and sharing.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
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.
Before teaching
Remind pupils not to name classmates or share stories about other people
Frame the discussion around general examples rather than personal disclosures
Make clear that the lesson is about learning friendship skills, not identifying who is or is not a good friend
Identify trusted adults pupils can speak to if a friendship situation feels difficult
During delivery
Use simple, familiar examples such as taking turns, sharing and listening to a friend
Give pupils time to practise phrases aloud, such as asking to join in
Reinforce that being a good friend is something pupils can practise every day
Allow pupils to respond through discussion, drawing or partner talk depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Keep examples general rather than about specific classmates
Encourage pupils to speak to a trusted adult if a friendship feels difficult
Be prepared to follow your school's safeguarding procedures and speak with the designated safeguarding lead if a pupil discloses harm or says they feel unsafe.
Adaptation options
Use partner talk or small groups for pupils who are less confident speaking aloud
Use drawing or simple role play to help pupils show what listening and sharing look like
Spend more time on inclusion examples if pupils need extra support with joining in play
