Friendship Recipe PSHE lesson plan
A primary PSHE lesson for Years 1 to 2 that helps UK teachers introduce friendship qualities and shared respect through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Pupils build a friendship recipe by identifying the ingredients that make a good friend, such as kindness, listening and sharing. Through discussion and simple class activities, pupils learn to recognise what respectful friendships look like, practise everyday phrases for including others, and understand simple ways to look after a friendship.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
Friendship Recipe
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce friendship qualities and shared respect using the simple idea of a friendship recipe.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Identifying the qualities of a respectful friendship and practising kind, inclusive ways to treat friends
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 the qualities that help friendships feel kind and fair, such as sharing, listening and including others
recognise everyday examples of respectful behaviour between friends
recognise when a friend might be feeling left out or unhappy
Understand
understand that good friendships involve give and take from both people
understand why respect and kindness matter in friendships
Practise
practise using kind and respectful language with friends
practise simple ways to include others in play and conversation
practise identifying a trusted adult to talk to if a friendship feels difficult
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for younger primary pupils who are beginning to learn about friendship, kindness and shared respect.
It is suitable for:
primary PSHE lessons
relationships education
pastoral care, circle time or form time
class culture and friendship expectation work
introductory respectful friendships learning
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 new to talking about friendship qualities such as kindness, sharing and listening.
Building classroom culture Use when reinforcing how pupils are expected to treat one another day to day.
Supporting inclusion Use when pupils need practical ideas for including others in play and conversation.
Reinforcing respectful communication Use when pupils need practice using kind, clear words with friends.
Revisiting friendship expectations Use after friendship groups have changed or new pupils have joined the class.
Supporting help-seeking Use when pupils need to understand who they can talk to if a friendship feels difficult.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Young pupils are still learning what makes a friendship feel kind, fair and enjoyable, and they benefit from simple, shared language to talk about it. Framing friendship as a recipe gives pupils an easy way to name the qualities that help friendships work well. Building these skills early helps pupils include others, use respectful language and notice when a friend might need support, before friendship difficulties become harder to manage. It also gives pupils confidence that small, everyday choices, like sharing or listening, make a real difference to how included someone feels. This lesson supports a positive classroom culture by helping pupils see respect and kindness as things they can actively practise with their friends, rather than ideas they only hear about.
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 Pupils notice when a friend seems left out or unhappy.
Empathy Pupils consider how kind and unkind actions affect friends.
Communication Pupils practise simple, respectful language to use with friends.
Relationship skills Pupils identify the qualities that help friendships feel fair and enjoyable.
Inclusion Pupils practise everyday ways to include others in play and conversation.
Help-seeking Pupils identify a trusted adult to talk to if a friendship feels difficult.
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 the friendship recipe idea and general examples, not personal situations
identify a trusted adult pupils can speak to at school
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
During delivery
use simple examples such as sharing, taking turns and including others in play
give pupils time to say friendship words or phrases aloud
reinforce that pupils do not need to manage difficult friendship feelings alone
allow pupils to respond through discussion, drawing or talking with a partner depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
keep examples general rather than based on real classroom events
reinforce that asking a trusted adult for help is a sensible choice, not a last resort
use privacy focused language, such as no naming classmates, rather than promising confidentiality
Adaptation options
use partner talk or drawing for pupils who are less confident speaking aloud
spend more time on trusted adults if pupils need extra support identifying help pathways
extend discussion time for classes still settling into shared friendship expectations
