Friendship First Aid PSHE lesson plan
A primary PSHE lesson for Years 3 to 4 that helps UK teachers introduce friendship repair skills through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Pupils learn practical ways to talk through disagreements, rebuild trust and treat each other with shared respect after a conflict. The lesson gives teachers a calm, structured way to explore how friendships can be repaired, helping pupils build language and confidence for everyday relationship challenges.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
Friendship First Aid
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to help pupils practise repairing friendships after a disagreement.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Repairing friendships after conflict using respectful communication
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 that friendships can experience disagreements and still be repaired
recognise signs that a friend may be upset or unsure how to make up
recognise the difference between a small disagreement and behaviour that needs adult support
Understand
understand that repairing a friendship often takes effort from both people
understand why calming down before talking things through can help a disagreement settle
Practise
practise using respectful language to talk about a disagreement
practise listening to a friend's point of view
practise simple steps for making up after a falling out
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for pupils in Years 3 to 4 who are building independence in their friendships and beginning to navigate more complex social situations.
It is suitable for:
primary PSHE lessons
relationships education
pastoral care, circle time or form time
friendship and social skills group work
whole class discussions on respectful communication
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 strategies for managing disagreements with friends.
Revisiting class expectations Use when reinforcing respectful communication and shared respect among peers.
Supporting pupils after a falling out Use to give pupils structured language for repairing a friendship following a disagreement.
Practising respectful communication Use when pupils need practice listening and responding calmly during disagreements.
Building confidence in social situations Use when pupils need support navigating changing friendship groups.
Creating a structured PSHE discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher-led discussion about respectful friendships.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Friendships naturally involve disagreements, and pupils benefit from learning how to repair them rather than avoid them or let them drift. Friendship First Aid gives pupils an early, practical framework for talking through a falling out, listening to another person's view and finding a fair way forward. This builds skills pupils can return to well beyond any one disagreement. Supporting pupils to repair friendships also strengthens everyday classroom culture, helping pupils treat each other with shared respect and feel more confident handling social ups and downs.
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
Communication skills Pupils practise respectful language for talking through a disagreement.
Emotional regulation Pupils consider the value of calming down before trying to make up.
Empathy Pupils think about how a friend may feel during and after a falling out.
Conflict resolution Pupils practise simple steps for finding a fair way forward.
Shared respect Pupils explore how both people in a friendship can take responsibility for repairing it.
Resilience in relationships Pupils build confidence that friendships can recover from disagreements.
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 other people's stories
Frame discussion around general examples and scenarios, not personal disputes
Make clear the lesson is about learning skills, not resolving a specific disagreement
Identify trusted adults pupils can speak to if a friendship issue feels difficult to manage
During delivery
Use everyday examples such as disagreements over games or hurt feelings after being left out
Give pupils time to practise respectful phrases aloud or in pairs
Reinforce that repairing a friendship takes effort from both people, not just one
Allow pupils to respond through discussion, drawing or partner talk depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Keep examples general rather than based on real classroom incidents
Reinforce that asking a trusted adult for help is a sensible option if a friendship issue feels too hard to manage alone
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 paired talk for confident groups
Use drawing or written reflection for quieter pupils
Spend more time on listening skills if pupils need extra support before moving to repair strategies
